Protecting infants born to people with HIV from serious infections
Developing Interventions for Protecting HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants against Severe Infections
Looking at whether differences in gut bacteria and their products can help prevent serious infections in babies born to people with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11389012 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your baby would be part of a comparison between infants exposed to HIV but uninfected (HEU) and infants not exposed to HIV (HU). The team will collect blood and stool at about 6, 24, and 48 weeks to measure immune cells, gene activity, DNA changes, blood metabolites, and gut bacteria using 16S sequencing. They will link specific bacterial types and metabolites to immune problems seen in HEU infants and test those links in the lab. The ultimate goal is to see whether diet or other ways of changing the gut microbes could boost infant immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are HIV-exposed but uninfected infants in their first year of life, with a comparison group of HIV-unexposed infants of similar age.
Not a fit: HIV-positive infants, older children, or adults would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit directly from this infant-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to diet- or microbiome-based approaches to boost immunity and reduce serious infections in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has found immune and microbiome differences in HEU infants, but using microbiome- or diet-based interventions to prevent infections is still largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weinberg, Adriana — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Weinberg, Adriana
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.