Treatment outcomes for Chagas disease in dogs to inform human care
Official title: Treatment outcome requirements for disease prevention in Chagas disease
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11373005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests whether treating early versus later in infection improves recovery and long-term health in dogs with Chagas disease, with findings intended to help people protected from or living with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $628,518 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI180075-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373005 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with suspected or confirmed early infection and, in the animal model context, working dogs naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.
✕Less likely to help
People not infected or those with long-standing disease may not benefit from findings focused on early treatment timing.
What this research studies
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and can cause lasting heart damage. In this project, researchers in Georgia study working dogs with natural infection to compare a new, higher cure-rate treatment given soon after infection to treatment given after a delay. They will monitor outcomes with blood tests, immune responses, and heart health measures to understand which approach yields better protection and fewer complications. The work aims to translate insights from canine infection to improve human prevention and treatment strategies in communities affected by Chagas disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform timing and strategies for treating Chagas infection to prevent heart damage in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in animal models and humans suggest early treatment improves outcomes, though this study explores a high-rate cure regimen in a natural canine infection setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tarleton, Rick L — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Tarleton, Rick L
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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.