Understanding how Chlamydia trachomatis infections affect women's reproductive health
Official title: Natural History of Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infection in women
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11005397 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Chlamydia infections can affect women's reproductive health and aims to find markers that show which women might face more serious problems, so we can better prevent complications in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | January 2, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $742,607 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170959-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005397 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who are at risk for Chlamydia trachomatis infections, particularly those with a history of sexually transmitted infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Chlamydia trachomatis infections or who do not have reproductive health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the natural history of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in women, focusing on how these infections can lead to serious reproductive health issues. The study aims to identify specific biomarkers that can indicate which women are at higher risk for complications from these infections. By analyzing cervical samples and the cervicovaginal microbiome, researchers will explore the interactions between the bacteria, the host's immune response, and environmental factors. This approach may help in developing targeted prevention strategies and potential vaccines in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of women at risk for reproductive health complications and inform the development of preventive measures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying biomarkers related to sexually transmitted infections, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connell, Catherine Mary — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: O'connell, Catherine Mary
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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.