# Field Studies of Cryptosporidiosis in Bangladesh

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2024 · $512,744

## Abstract

Project Summary
Introduction: Immunity to Cryptosporidium diarrhea develops by four years of age in children living in an area of
high transmission intensity.
Hypothesis: Children upon repeated infection develop immunity in part via a unique repertoire and functional
capacity of antibodies against the parasite due to Tfh cell activation.
Significance: The proposal will provide insight into the human immune system response to intraepithelial
parasitism and inform vaccine design to prevent the estimated 7 million Cryptosporidium-attributable cases of
diarrhea, 200,000 deaths annually in children under the age of 2 years.
Investigators: The application is the product of 25 years of collaboration between Drs. Petri & Gilchrist at the
University of Virginia and Dr. Haque at icddr,b in Bangladesh, joined by Dr. Campo at Antigen Discovery.
Innovation: The hypothesis is innovative as it challenges the existing paradigm that humoral immunity is
unimportant in immunity to cryptosporidiosis. Innovative approaches include the longitudinal study of infection of
children in an area of high transmission intensity, probing humoral immunity with a parasite protein microarray
and functional measures, and activation-induced marker (AIM) assays of Tfh function during active infection.
Progress over the last 5 years of funding: 51 papers published, demonstrating the acquisition of immunity to
cryptosporidiosis in children living in a high transmission area, identification of 7/233 parasite antigens
recognized by immune sera as associated with protection, discovery of protection from both malnutrition and
cryptosporidiosis with an anti-parasite Cp23 protein antibody response, identification of human genetic
susceptibility via a polymorphism in protein kinase C, evidence of parasite genotype-specific antibody responses,
the importance of the microbiome and prior antibiotics, and transmission during monsoon and within households.
Approach:
Specific Aim 1 (ADI & UVA): In Depth Characterization of Cryptosporidium Antigens Recognized by the
Humoral Immune Response as Children Develop Immunity from Repeated Infections.
Specific Aim 2 (UVA & ADI): Functional Characterization of Anti-Cryptosporidium Antibodies.
Specific Aim 3 (UVA & icddr,b): Role of T follicular helper (Tfh) Cells in Induction of the Antibody Response.
Environment: The University of Virginia is internationally recognized as a center for Global Health research, the
icddr,b is the premier institution for the study of diarrheal diseases in low and middle income countries, and ADI
Inc. is a leader in protein microarrays.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10998925
- **Project number:** 2R01AI043596-25A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** CAROL A GILCHRIST
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $512,744
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1998-09-15 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10998925

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10998925, Field Studies of Cryptosporidiosis in Bangladesh (2R01AI043596-25A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10998925. Licensed CC0.

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