Why men and women respond differently to drug‑resistant Klebsiella lung infections
Project 1 McCombs
Seeing if differences between male and female immune responses change how adults handle drug‑resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae lung infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248785 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how the immune system fights multidrug‑resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, with attention to differences between males and females. The work combines laboratory experiments including animal models to look at immune cells in the lungs such as T cells, B cells, NK cells, and innate lymphoid cells during infection. The team aims to identify immune responses that cause worse outcomes in females and pinpoint targets that could be modified to reduce harm. Results would guide future approaches to boost protective immunity or limit immune‑driven damage in people with these infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with Klebsiella pneumoniae lung infections, especially those with multidrug‑resistant strains, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People without Klebsiella infections or with infections caused by different pathogens would be unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to immune‑based or sex‑tailored treatments that reduce severe illness and deaths from drug‑resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown sex differences in immune responses to other bacterial infections, but applying those findings to multidrug‑resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is relatively new and not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Tulane University of Louisiana — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccombs, Janet Elaine — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Mccombs, Janet Elaine
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.