Understanding how certain bacteria resist antibiotic treatment
Drug resistance enablers and their role in antibiotic treatment failure
This study is looking into why some infections caused by the bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii don’t get better with antibiotics, even when the bacteria aren’t officially resistant, by finding out what changes in the bacteria help them survive treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10911822 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind antibiotic treatment failures, particularly focusing on the bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii. It aims to identify specific mutations in these bacteria that enable them to survive antibiotic therapies, even when they are not classified as resistant. By studying these enabler mutations, the research seeks to uncover why some infections do not respond to treatment and how these bacteria evolve over time. The approach includes advanced genetic techniques to analyze bacterial behavior in the presence of antibiotics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii or other antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding antibiotic resistance mechanisms, but this specific focus on enabler mutations is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Vaughn — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Vaughn
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.