Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative bacillus that causes a severe, dehydrating and occasionally fatal diarrhea in humans. Much of the impact of cholera occurs in developing areas of the world, particularly South Asian countries such as India and Bangladesh, where cholera occurs in both epidemic and endemic forms. At present, an optimal vaccine against Vibrio cholerae is not yet available for use in endemic settings.

Our research is focused on the following areas:

1. Using high-throughput genomic and proteomic techniques to identify virulence factors expressed during human infection with Vibrio cholerae
2. Identifying immunodominant proteins important in protective immune responses to V. cholerae
3. Characterizing host genetic factors that influence susceptibility to V. cholerae infection.

This work is relevant to the development of improved vaccines and therapeutics for cholera. An ongoing collaboration with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh is a key component of our work.

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Regina LaRocque, M.D., M.P.H.
Gray-Jackson 520
Division of Infectious Diseases
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
Office: 617-643-5557
Email: rclarocque@partners.org

Crystal Ellis
cnellis@partners.org

Atiqur Rahman
arahman1@partners.org

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B)