Ureaplasma infection in pregnancy and fetal brain inflammation: can azithromycin help?
Neuroinflammation in response to ascending reproductive tract ureaplasma infection
This project tests whether treating Ureaplasma infections during pregnancy with azithromycin can lower inflammation in the unborn baby's brain and reduce risks tied to preterm birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319738 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using a rhesus monkey model that closely mirrors human pregnancy to study how an ascending Ureaplasma infection triggers inflammation in the fetus's brain. They will monitor mothers and fetuses over time and take repeated samples from the amniotic, maternal, and fetal compartments. Infected animals will receive azithromycin to see how the antibiotic changes markers of neuroinflammation and fetal outcomes. The findings are intended to guide safer treatments for infection-driven preterm birth in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people with suspected or confirmed intrauterine Ureaplasma infection or those at high risk for infection-driven preterm labor would be the most relevant candidates for future related clinical trials.
Not a fit: People whose preterm birth risk is unrelated to intrauterine infection, or whose pregnancies are affected by other pathogens or noninfectious causes, may not benefit from findings focused on Ureaplasma and azithromycin.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that lower fetal brain inflammation and reduce lifelong neurodevelopmental problems linked to preterm birth.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier non-human primate studies showed azithromycin can delay preterm labor and improve fetal lung and hemodynamic outcomes, but its effects on fetal brain inflammation have not been proven.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kelleher, Meredith Anne — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Kelleher, Meredith Anne
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.