Using viruses to fight drug-resistant bacterial infections in the lungs
Synergistic control of acute respiratory pathogens by bacteriophage and the innate immune response
This study is looking at how special viruses that attack bacteria, called bacteriophages, can work together with your immune system to help get rid of tough bacterial infections in your lungs that don't respond to regular antibiotics, with the goal of finding better treatments for people like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11074822 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically target bacteria, can be used in combination with the body's immune response to effectively eliminate multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogens causing respiratory infections. The approach involves understanding the mechanisms that make phage therapy successful or unsuccessful in treating these infections, particularly focusing on the immune state of the host. By employing population modeling and computational simulations, the researchers aim to identify the conditions under which phage therapy can be most effective. This could lead to more targeted and effective treatments for patients suffering from severe respiratory infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be patients suffering from severe respiratory infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel treatment option for patients with infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria, potentially saving lives and reducing the burden of antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous compassionate use of phage therapy has shown promise, but clinical trials have had mixed results, indicating that this approach is still being explored and refined.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weitz, Joshua — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Weitz, Joshua
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.