Tacaribe virus: Understanding if it can infect humans and spread in Peru
Official title: Emergence and molecular evolution of Tacaribe virus as a human pathogen
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11463749 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to study whether Tacaribe virus can enter human cells and how the virus has evolved, with samples from patients in Peru.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $243,704 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI203050-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463749 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and children in Peru who have had febrile illnesses and may be exposed to Tacaribe virus, through the collaborating sites and laboratories.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to the virus or without access to the study sites may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will test whether Tacaribe virus can use the human transferrin receptor 1 to enter cells and how specific mutations in the virus’ surface proteins affect this ability. They will compare Peruvian virus samples with the original Trinidad and Tobago isolate using lab models, and measure changes in how the virus grows in human-like cells. The study also plans to look for how common Tacaribe virus is among febrile patients in Peru through collaboration with NAMRU SOUTH. The results could clues about whether this virus could pose a human health risk and how it might spread.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify the human infection potential of Tacaribe virus and guide surveillance and prevention efforts.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies have identified TCRV in ticks and humans, and genome analyses have highlighted receptor usage changes; this study builds on those findings with direct experimental validation.
Where this research is happening
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University of Texas Med Br Galveston
Galveston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aguilar, Patricia Veronica — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Aguilar, Patricia Veronica
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.