Zoonotic UPEC in Northwest Ecuador: Who gets UTIs and how it spreads
Official title: Zoonotic Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Northwest Ecuador: Incidence and Risk Factors
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11565199 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will explore how uro-pathogenic E. coli from animals and the environment may cause UTIs in people in Northwest Ecuador.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $161,873 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI167989-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11565199 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals living in Northwest Ecuador who experience UTIs and may be linked to animal or environmental exposure.
✕Less likely to help
People with UTIs caused by non-zoonotic strains or unrelated pathways may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project uses a natural setting where people live closely with animals to study how UPEC bacteria move between animals, the environment, and people. Scientists will compare bacterial genomes and look for genetic markers that hint at animal sources, while tracking infections in households over time. The goal is to map transmission pathways and identify animal reservoirs that contribute to human UTIs. The study will build on existing research infrastructure to collect samples and data in a way that could guide prevention efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could inform strategies to prevent UTIs by targeting animal reservoirs and transmission pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked animal sources to human UTIs in some settings, but the contribution of animal reservoirs in this region remains unclear and is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eisenberg, Joseph N. S. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Eisenberg, Joseph N. S.
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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.