Using mathematical models to manage BK virus infection in kidney transplant patients
Official title: Mathematical modeling for optimal control of BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10861036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a smart tool to help doctors create personalized treatment plans for kidney transplant patients dealing with BK virus infections, so they can find the right balance between preventing organ rejection and managing their immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | June 6, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $145,910 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI169170-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10861036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are kidney transplant recipients who are experiencing BK virus viremia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone kidney transplantation or those without BK virus infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing mathematical models to optimize the management of BK virus (BKV) infection in kidney transplant recipients. It aims to create personalized treatment plans that balance the need for immunosuppression with the risk of organ rejection. By analyzing longitudinal data from kidney transplant patients, the researchers will calibrate and validate these models to improve patient outcomes. The ultimate goal is to provide a software-guided approach to help clinicians make informed decisions about immunosuppression levels for individual patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective management of BK virus infections, potentially preserving kidney function and reducing the risk of organ loss in transplant recipients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using mathematical modeling for managing infectious diseases, suggesting that this approach could be effective for BK virus management as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccarthy, Janice Marie — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Mccarthy, Janice Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial clues to diagnose and predict infections in kidney transplant patients
A patient-focused project will look for microbial biomarkers in stool, blood, and urine to help doctors predict and diagnose infections in people who have had a kidney transplant.
-
Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
-
Complement-Bound Exosomes and Kidney Transplant Immunity
This project studies how kidney transplant injury and rejection happen after surgery and whether blocking certain immune pathways during organ preservation could improve transplant outcomes.
-
Blood vessel signals predicting heart problems after kidney transplant
This project studies blood markers and tissue patterns after kidney transplants to identify which patients are at highest risk of cardiovascular problems.
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Understanding how BK virus links infection to kidney transplant rejection
This project looks at how BK polyomavirus reactivation affects kidney transplant patients and aims to use pre-transplant T cell information to tailor immunosuppression and monitoring.
-
Characterization of a LILRB3 SNP cluster and its link to kidney transplant outcomes
A study in kidney transplant recipients looks at genetic factors that may be tied to higher risk of graft failure.
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.