Universal vaccine approach to prevent leptospirosis across humans and animals
Official title: Development of a Universal Vaccine Against Leptospirosis
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-11332876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientific team is working to develop a single vaccine that could protect people and animals from many strains of leptospirosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $751,736 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI182354-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals at risk for leptospirosis, including agricultural workers, military personnel, and people in high-exposure settings such as water sports or urban slums.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with no risk of leptospirosis or those unable to receive vaccines would not benefit.
What this research studies
Leptospirosis is a dangerous infection spread through the environment that affects people such as farmers, military personnel, swimmers, and urban residents. This project aims to create a universal vaccine that works against many Leptospira species and serovars, addressing a major gap in prevention. The researchers will test candidate vaccines in animal models, evaluate immune responses, and refine formulations to achieve broad protection. The work focuses on advancing toward a broadly protective vaccine that could reduce illness in people and livestock.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could lower disease risk for humans and animals and improve public health and economic outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous attempts to create a universal leptospira vaccine have not achieved broad coverage, making this approach novel and potentially transformative.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wunder, Elsio Augusto — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Wunder, Elsio Augusto
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.