# Field Studies of Cryptosporidiosis in Bangladesh

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2020 · $377,960

## Abstract

Project Summary
Introduction: We propose to design a vaccine for Cryptosporidia by identifying antigenic targets of the
parasite that are neutralized by mucosal IgA, are antigenically conserved, recognized by cell mediated
immunity (CMI), and associated with protection of infants.
Hypothesis: Protection from Cryptosporidia is via anti-IgA mucosal antibodies against surface-exposed
antigens that provide broadly-neutralizing prevention of infection, and via cell mediated immune responses
required for resolution of infection.
Premise: A vaccine can be rationally designed by identifying microbial antigens that are broadly conserved
and recognized by immune responses associated with protection.
Significance: Cryptosporidiosis is a top 10 cause of diarrhea in the 1st year of life in low and middle-income
countries. In North America it is the leading etiology of water-borne diarrhea, a biodefense category B agent,
and cause of chronic diarrhea in AIDS.
Investigators: The multiple PIs Drs. Petri and Gilchrist at the University of Virginia, and the foreign site lead
Dr. Haque at icddr,b, have collaborated on enteric parasites for 25 years. For Cryptosporidia they have
discovered in infants acquired immunity associated with a mucosal IgA response, and through genome
resequencing conserved antigens. They are joined by Dr. Campo of Antigen Discovery (ADI) who brings an
eminently successful track record in use of microbial proteome arrays for antigen discovery.
Innovation: The identification of IgA acquired immune responses associated with protection, and application
of a proteome microarray to identify targets of mucosal IgA are ground-breaking in Cryptosporidiosis
Approach: There are three Specific Aims:
 Specific Aim 1. Assess the natural history of Cryptosporidiosis through age 5 in children in
 an urban slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
 Specific Aim 2: Measure the duration and magnitude of passive and active immunity
 associated with IgA against the parasite Cp23 antigen.
 Specific Aim 3: Discover antigens for a broadly neutralizing vaccine.
Environment: Key to success are the complementary expertise of the team at the University of Virginia in
molecular parasitology, at icddr,b in clinical investigation, and at ADI in antigen discovery. This robust
collaboration has led to the substantial published and preliminary data presented in the proposal.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9896748
- **Project number:** 5R01AI043596-21
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** CAROL A GILCHRIST
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $377,960
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-09-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9896748

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9896748, Field Studies of Cryptosporidiosis in Bangladesh (5R01AI043596-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9896748. Licensed CC0.

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