The University of Pittsburgh received a $250,573 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The award, effective from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2027, will fund research to investigate the impact of host genetic polymorphisms on the transmission and pathogenesis of Babesia microti, the parasite that causes human babesiosis. The research team will use the Collaborative Cross mouse model to map quantitative trait loci associated with disease outcomes, such as parasitemia levels, hemoglobin levels, and infection resolution, under both needle inoculation and tick-borne transmission of B. microti. This innovative approach leverages the genetically diverse Collaborative Cross mice to identify key host genetic factors that drive variability in B. microti infection and clinical presentation. The findings from this project are expected to provide crucial insights into the pathogenesis of human babesiosis and inform the development of targeted interventions.
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