Understanding how the immune system responds during cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
Official title: Mechanisms of balancing the immune response during cryptococcal meningoencephalitis
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10877973 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system fights a serious fungal infection called cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, which mainly affects people with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS, to find better ways to help patients recover without causing harm to their brains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $231,190 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI177099-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877973 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, particularly those who are HIV-positive or have compromised immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by cryptococcal meningoencephalitis or do not have compromised immune systems may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune response mechanisms involved in cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, a serious fungal infection that primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS. The study aims to understand how the immune system can effectively control the infection while preventing excessive inflammation that can lead to brain damage. By exploring the balance between immune activation and regulation, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes. The approach includes analyzing immune responses in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients affected by this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that enhance immune responses while minimizing harmful inflammation in patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in similar fungal infections, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Meiqing — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Shi, Meiqing
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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.