Understanding immune system issues in pregnant women with HIV and malaria
Official title: Mechanisms of Innate Immune Dysfunction in Siv/Malaria Co-infection in Pregnancy
Funded at Tulane University of Louisiana · NIH-11080141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having both HIV and malaria affects the immune system of pregnant women, using pregnant monkeys to learn more about the problems that can arise during pregnancy, with the hope of finding better ways to help mothers and their babies stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $621,740 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HD108015-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are co-infected with HIV and malaria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not have co-infection with HIV and malaria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how co-infection with HIV and malaria affects the immune system in pregnant women. By studying pregnant rhesus macaques infected with both diseases, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that lead to complications during pregnancy. The focus is on understanding the role of specific immune cells, such as neutrophils and innate lymphoid cells, in the development of these complications. The ultimate goal is to identify new treatment strategies that can improve health outcomes for mothers and their babies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly reduce health risks for pregnant women living with HIV and malaria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding immune dysfunction in co-infections can lead to improved treatment strategies, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manuzak, Jennifer — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Manuzak, Jennifer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving newborn health with rapid malaria testing in pregnancy in Africa
A funded project will test high-sensitivity malaria rapid tests to help manage malaria in pregnant people in Africa, aiming to reduce infant deaths and improve newborn health.
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Improving neonatal health with rapid malaria testing in early pregnancy
A study tests a high-sensitivity malaria test in pregnant people to help protect newborns in Africa.
-
Understanding immunity to protect pregnancies from malaria
Researchers are studying how antibodies against malaria protect pregnant women and how a vaccine could boost this protection for women in malaria-prone areas.
-
Rapid malaria testing in early pregnancy to protect newborn health
A Duke University-led project will test high-sensitivity malaria tests in the first trimester to help keep mothers and babies healthier in Africa.
-
Household malaria treatment to protect pregnant women
This project gives malaria medicine to people who live with pregnant women to lower the risk of malaria for the mother and her unborn baby.
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How HIV and malaria together weaken immune defenses during pregnancy
Researchers are looking at how an HIV-like infection and malaria during pregnancy change immune cells in pregnant monkeys to learn ways to better protect mothers and their babies.
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.