Where Leptospira bacteria live around homes and yards
Leptospira prevalence, cycling, and infection in the peridomestic environment
Researchers will map Leptospira bacteria in soil, water, and animals near people's homes to help reduce infections in tropical and island communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern Arizona University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Flagstaff, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11112553 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will collect soil, water, and animal-linked samples from around homes and peridomestic areas and link those findings to human case information. They will use a new culture-free genetic typing method to identify and compare Leptospira strains across animals, places, and seasons. Study staff may also gather information from people about animal contact, water exposure, and symptoms to help match environmental sources to infections. The work is focused on tropical and island settings where leptospirosis is most common.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people living in tropical or island/peridomestic settings (for example Hawaii or US territories) who have had recent illness consistent with leptospirosis or frequent contact with animals, soil, or standing water near their homes.
Not a fit: People living outside endemic areas or without recent animal or environmental exposure are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could pinpoint where people pick up Leptospira and guide targeted prevention like animal control, water safety, and public health messaging.
How similar studies have performed: Past environmental and molecular studies rarely confirmed specific sources, so this new culture-free genotyping approach is relatively novel and shows promise but is not yet widely proven.
Where this research is happening
Flagstaff, United States
- Northern Arizona University — Flagstaff, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pearson, Talima Ross — Northern Arizona University
- Study coordinator: Pearson, Talima Ross
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.