Understanding rectal Chlamydia infections and their effect on immunity in women
traThe influence of rectal Chlamydia trachomatis infections on immunity and incident urogenital infections in women without an indication forrectal screening
This project aims to learn how Chlamydia infections in the rectum affect a woman's immune system and protect against or lead to new infections in the genital area, especially for women who wouldn't typically be screened for rectal Chlamydia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124129 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand if Chlamydia infections in the rectum, which are often missed by standard screening, might actually help protect the genital area from future infections, or if they could increase the risk. We will follow women at high risk for Chlamydia who have not had anal sex, collecting samples over 12 months. This will help us see how often these infections occur, how long they last, and how the body's immune response changes. The information gathered could be vital for developing new ways to prevent Chlamydia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women at high risk for Chlamydia who have never engaged in anal sex.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at high risk for Chlamydia or who have already been diagnosed with a current Chlamydia infection may not directly benefit from participating in this specific observation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better screening guidelines and potentially inform the development of a Chlamydia vaccine that protects against both rectal and genital infections.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies suggest that rectal Chlamydia infections might induce protective immunity, but this project is novel in directly exploring this effect in human women.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jordan, Stephen J. — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Jordan, Stephen J.
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 below.