Vaccine to protect children against Cryptosporidium at all parasite stages
Developing vaccines against the intracellular and extracellular Lifestages of the Cryptosporidium parasite
A liposome-based vaccine is being developed to protect young children in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia from Cryptosporidium diarrhea by targeting multiple stages of the parasite.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324915 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a parent's view, researchers are building a vaccine that uses tiny fat particles (liposomes) plus immune-stimulating molecules to train the body to fight Cryptosporidium. The vaccine mixes parasite proteins from both the outside and inside life stages so the immune system can attack the parasite at more than one point. The team has already seen immune responses in non-human primates and will optimize the formulation and immune responses in prototype experiments. The longer-term aim is to produce a vaccine ready for testing in children living where Cryptosporidium causes heavy illness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The eventual target beneficiaries are young children (especially under 5 years, including 0–11 month-olds) living in areas with high Cryptosporidium burden such as parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Not a fit: People not exposed to Cryptosporidium (for example adults in low-risk regions) or those with other causes of diarrhea are unlikely to benefit directly from this vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could cut severe diarrhea, prevent deaths, and reduce growth problems in young children in high-burden regions.
How similar studies have performed: There is no licensed vaccine yet for cryptosporidiosis, though related liposomal vaccine formulations have produced immune responses in non-human primates; human protection remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilchrist, Carol a — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Gilchrist, Carol a
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.