Ugandan Schistosomiasis Research Center exploring why some people get severe disease
Official title: Uganda Schistosomiasis Multidisciplinary Research Centre (U-SMRC)
Funded at Uganda Virus Research Institute · NIH-11415018 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists in Uganda are studying how Schistosoma mansoni causes serious illness and how to prevent it, focusing on both children and adults in high-risk areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Uganda Virus Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Entebbe, Uganda) |
| Project start | May 9, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $246,568 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI168609-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415018 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include preschool-age children in the Lake Albert region and adults with a history of schistosomiasis exposure in Uganda.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not exposed to Schistosoma mansoni or not in the study regions may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The Uganda Schistosomiasis Multidisciplinary Research Center (U-SMRC) is creating a Uganda-based network to study schistosomiasis and build local capacity. Researchers will follow preschool-age children in two Lake Albert regions to see how early immune responses develop and contribute to severe disease, and they will compare adults with chronic exposure to identify risk factors. The work combines human subjects, parasite biology, and snail hosts to understand multiple steps in disease progression. This is a collaborative effort led by the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe with local partners to inform better prevention and control strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to improved prevention and treatment approaches that reduce severe schistosomiasis in Uganda and similar settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous schistosomiasis research has identified factors linked to severe disease, but this project aims to uncover region-specific biological determinants and prevention strategies in Uganda.
Where this research is happening
-
Uganda Virus Research Institute
Entebbe, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elliott, Alison — Uganda Virus Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Elliott, Alison
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.