Preventing ehrlichiosis (a tick-borne infection)
Targeted Prevention of Human Ehrlichiosis
['FUNDING_R01'] · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11138436
This project aims to create a vaccine that trains the immune system to block Ehrlichia chaffeensis and protect people at risk for ehrlichiosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11138436 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you are worried about tick-borne ehrlichiosis, this research works to create a vaccine that targets several surface proteins on the Ehrlichia chaffeensis bacterium. Researchers are testing pieces of those bacterial proteins in the lab and in animal models to see if they trigger protective antibodies without reacting to human proteins. They vaccinate mice and study how well the resulting antibodies prevent the bacteria from entering and surviving in host cells. If the animal results are promising, the work would support future human testing to see if the vaccine protects people who get tick bites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future vaccine trials would be people who live, work, or spend time in regions where Ehrlichia chaffeensis is common and who are at risk of tick exposure.
Not a fit: People already with acute, severe ehrlichiosis or those with allergies to vaccine components would not be expected to benefit from this preventive vaccine approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a vaccine that prevents ehrlichiosis or reduces its severity, lowering the need to rely on very early antibiotic treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Protein-based vaccines against related tick-borne bacteria have shown protection in animal studies, but there is no FDA-approved human vaccine for ehrlichiosis and human efficacy remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY — Columbus, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: RIKIHISA, YASUKO — OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: RIKIHISA, YASUKO
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.