Primary Investigator
Dr. Md. Rofiqur Rahman
Co-Primary Investigator
Md. Mehedi Hasan Emon
Our Approach
Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) is an opportunistic pathogen, and the World Health
Organization (WHO) has identified it as a priority target pathogen due to its role in causing
enteric diseases and significant mortality worldwide, particularly among neonates. We aim
to investigate the maternal and neonatal carriage of Kpn and its potential implications for
neonatal health. We seek to evaluate the carriage rates of Kpn in pregnant women in
Dhaka, Bangladesh, assess maternal antibody responses to Kpn and their association
with neonatal gut colonization and neonatal sepsis, and characterize the dynamics of
neonatal gut colonization with Kpn. By addressing these objectives, we hope to gain
critical insights into the transmission pathways, immune interactions, and colonization
patterns of Kpn in the maternal-neonatal context.
Partners
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and institute for developing Science & Health
initiatives (ideSHi)
Research Goals
Through this longitudinal cohort study, we aim to assess neonatal gut colonization by Kpn,
identify potential sources of colonization, characterize circulating Kpn serotypes, determine
their relative abundance, immunological status in the neonates for several definitive time
points.
Context
Kpn is a facultative pathogen that colonizes the human intestine and persists in
environmental and animal reservoirs, enabling horizontal gene transfer and making it a
major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As a result, Kpn has emerged as a
significant global pathogen. Despite this substantial and disproportionate burden, Kpn
remains underappreciated, highlighting the urgent need for preventive interventions,
including vaccine development, to reduce infection, limit AMR spread, and prevent deaths
in vulnerable populations. With the findings of this project, we hope to improve the
development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies for neonatal populations.
Impact
This project will provide critical insights into how Kpn is transmitted to neonates, its
colonization patterns, and the role of maternal immunity in protecting newborns. By
identifying carriage rates, sources of neonatal colonization, and circulating serotypes, the
study will inform targeted prevention strategies and support the development of maternal
and neonatal vaccines, ultimately aiming to reduce neonatal morbidity, mortality, and
antimicrobial resistance.
