Understanding how certain E. coli bacteria can cause serious infections in humans
Official title: Investigating virulence functions of mastitis-associated Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli relevant to human disease
Funded at Brigham Young University · NIH-10439133 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at certain bacteria from cows that can cause serious infections in people, like bladder infections and pneumonia, to understand how they work and how they might make us sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham Young University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Provo, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $378,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI159847-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10439133 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced infections related to E. coli, particularly those with urosepsis or pneumonia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any history of E. coli infections or related health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates Extraintestinal Escherichia coli (ExPEC), bacteria that typically reside in the intestines of mammals but can lead to severe illnesses when they infect other parts of the body. The study focuses on mastitis-associated strains from cattle that may also pose a risk to human health. By examining the genetic and virulence factors of these bacteria, researchers aim to uncover how they can cause diseases such as urosepsis and pneumonia. The approach includes genome-wide screenings and experiments to assess the bacteria's ability to survive and cause infections in various hosts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of serious infections caused by E. coli in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding bacterial virulence factors, making this approach promising but still novel in the context of mastitis-associated E. coli.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham Young University
Provo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erickson, David L. — Brigham Young University
- Study coordinator: Erickson, David L.
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.