Understanding how soil conditions affect the bacteria that cause pneumonia.
Official title: Legionella in soil: biotic and abiotic controls of pathogenicity
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11191777 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different soil conditions and climate factors, like temperature and rain, affect the bacteria Legionella, which can cause pneumonia, to help find better ways to prevent infections for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,874 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM125508-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11191777 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas with high incidence rates of legionellosis or those who may be exposed to contaminated environments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of exposure to Legionella or who do not live in affected regions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between soil conditions and the bacteria Legionella, which can cause pneumonia when transmitted through the environment. The study focuses on how climate factors like temperature and precipitation influence the presence of Legionella and its association with amoeba hosts in various soil types. By mapping these relationships, the research aims to predict risks associated with Legionella infections. Patients may benefit from improved understanding and prevention strategies for legionellosis as a result of this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better risk assessment and prevention strategies for legionellosis, potentially reducing the incidence of pneumonia caused by Legionella.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding environmental factors affecting pathogen prevalence, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yuan, Mengting Maggie — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Yuan, Mengting Maggie
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.