Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 infection may worsen mold infections in the lungs
Official title: The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Immune Dysregulation on Antifungal Immunity
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11399698 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies why severe COVID-19 can lead to dangerous lung mold infections, with the goal of improving prevention and care for patients affected by CAPA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $722,687 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170719-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399698 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with severe COVID-19 who are at risk for or have developed COVID-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) may benefit from the insights.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without severe COVID-19 or without CAPA may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
If you have or are at risk for severe COVID-19, this project looks at how the body’s response to the virus might unintentionally help mold grow in the lungs. Researchers will examine iron and other nutrients, immune signals, and cell death in lung samples to understand why Aspergillus becomes invasive after SARS-CoV-2 infection. They will use tissue analysis and advanced imaging to map where these processes happen and how they relate to the body’s antifungal defenses. The findings could point to new strategies to prevent or treat CAPA in people with severe COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could lead to better prevention and treatment of COVID-associated lung mold infections, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has described CAPA, but this project aims to uncover mechanisms behind progression, which is a novel angle.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leal, Sixto Manuel — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Leal, Sixto Manuel
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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.