Understanding how gut microbes affect immunity in infants exposed to HIV

Identifying inter-kingdom microbial determinants of altered immunity in HIV exposed infants

NIH-funded research University of California Riverside · NIH-11171118

This study is looking at how the bacteria in the gut of babies born to mothers with HIV might affect their immune system, especially how well they respond to vaccines, to help understand why some of these babies might get sick more easily.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Riverside NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Riverside, United States)
Project IDNIH-11171118 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between gut microbes and immune responses in infants born to HIV-infected mothers. It focuses on how specific microbial communities in the gut may influence the development of T cell subsets that are crucial for adaptive immunity. By analyzing the gut microbiota and virome of both HIV-exposed uninfected infants and unexposed infants, the study aims to uncover factors that contribute to reduced vaccine responses and increased disease susceptibility in these vulnerable populations. The research will utilize existing cohort data to explore these interactions over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants born to HIV-infected mothers who are either HIV-exposed uninfected or unexposed.

Not a fit: Patients who are not infants or those who are not born to HIV-infected mothers may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccination strategies and health outcomes for infants exposed to HIV.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut microbiota in immune responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Riverside, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.