Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing for Diagnosis of Ascites Infection in End-stage Liver Diseases...
Ascites InfectionAscites is the most common complication of cirrhosis, and its development is associated with substantially increased mortality. Ascites infection including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), bacterascites and fungal infections. SBP is one of the most feared complications of ascites. The EASL guidelines recommend that diagnostic criteria of SBP is defined on the ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) count ≥250 cell/μl, with or without ascites fluid positive culture. However, in clinical practice. Up to 30% of hospitalized patients are considered as suspicious SBP, and treated as SBP without a laboratory-confirmed cause of infection. and is present in 10-30% of all hospitalized patients with ascites. Besides, fungal infection in ascites was aslo related to high mortality in cirrhosis patients. Thus, to diagnose ascites infection promptly is the key step to prevent the complication. Since, the sensitivity of bacterial culture is limited even if ascites is directly injected into blood culture bottles at the besides. New method to identified the pathogen is needed. Here, we aim to use metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS) to provide the first-ever demonstration of precision medicine for the diagnosis of ascites infection in hospitalized patients, with immediate impact on clinical care and patients outcomes. The method of mNGS is undertaken by BGI Genomics Company which is a licensed clinical diagnostic laboratory in China. In this multicenter and prospective clinical study, we are planning to detect ascites sample by mNGS and compare the performance of mNGS and routine microbiological testing. Ultimately, we aim to improve the diagnosis of ascites infection and improve patients' outcomes.
Home Testing of Respiratory Illness
Influenza -Like IllnessInfluenza A3 moreThe main goal of this research study is to use data from activity trackers (such as Fitbits), lab tests, and surveys to see if activity, sleep, and heart rate data can tell the difference between when someone has a respiratory illness (e.g., flu) and when they are feeling healthy. The research will also study an investigational flu@home test and app. If successful, results from the study could be used in the future to better identify people with respiratory illness. In addition, this study will test the accuracy of an at-home flu test kit compared to laboratory test results.
Study for Antibiotic Impregnated Calcium Sulfate Beads as Prophylaxis for Surgical Site Infection...
Surgical Site InfectionThe CDC quotes a rate of wound infection of 2-5% for inpatient surgery. Patients undergoing a vascular operation, however, are generally at an increased risk of wound infection with rates often close to 5-10%. Groin incisions are an additional risk factor for surgical site infections, with rates of wound infection being quoted from 10-15%, and even as high as 30% in high risk patients. The use of implantable calcium sulfate beads mixed with antibiotics may help to lower the rate of infection in these high risk patients.
Prevention of Clostridium Difficile Infections Using Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v Strain
Clostridium DifficileThe aim of this study was to analyze whether the use of the LP299v strain reduces the risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) among patients receiving antibiotics and hospitalized in the nephrology and transplantation ward. Patients from risk group (receiving immunosuppressive drugs and treated with antibiotics) were enrolled into study. Participants will be divided into two groups. First group will receive one capsule of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (LP299v) orally per a day. Second group will receive placebo.
Immune Response to BCG Vaccination in Neonates Born to HIV and LTBI Infected and Non-infected Mothers...
HIV InfectionsNeonatal Infection2 moreMaternal infections affect the basal immune status of neonates. One of the possible mechanism is the fetomaternal microchimerism, in which some cells and active substances are exchanged bi-directionally between maternal and fetal circulation through placenta. Even in the absence of a direct (vertical) transmission of pathogens to fetuses, certain infections make the neonates more prone to allergies and some adverse events of early vaccinations. We postulate that the basal immune status of neonates born to HIV and LTBI infected mothers is primed by gestational exposure to immunological active molecules, which could results in an altered response to early BCG vaccination. Transcripts expression identified by RNA sequencing are compared between sets of mother-child and their respective umbilical cord blood, and between groups of infected and non-infected pairs.
Host RNA Profiles to Detect Infections in Young Infants
Bacterial InfectionsUrinary Tract Infections8 moreThis study seeks to identify and test host RNA expression profiles as markers for infections in young infants. Preliminary studies have shown high sensitivity and specificity for the discrimination of bacterial from non-bacterial infections in children, but the method has only been investigated in a limited number of young infants. The study aims to include 65 young infants with serious bacterial infections. The samples will be analysed by RNA sequencing. New diagnostic tools may help reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment, antibiotic resistance, side-effects, hospitalisation and invasive procedures.
Integrating Enhanced HIV PrEP Into a STI Clinic in Lilongwe
HIV InfectionsSexually Transmitted Diseases12 moreThis is a prospective cohort study evaluating acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of integrating HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) into a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic alongside assisted partner notification and etiologic STI testing in Lilongwe, Malawi.
SCREENING AND SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL...
SARS-CoV-2 InfectionBACKGROUND: On January 7, 2020, the Chinese authorities identified as the agent responsible for the cases of atypical pneumonia of unknown etiology a new type of virus of the Coronaviridae family that has subsequently been named SARS-CoV-2, whose genetic sequence was shared by Chinese authorities on January 12 (taxonomy ID: 2697049). On January 30, 2020, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), following the advice of the Emergency Committee convened in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005), declared that the COVID-19 outbreak started in Wuhan, China in December 2019, being a public health emergency of international concern. On March 11, the WHO declared the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. So far, in the absence of effective vaccines or antiviral drugs, efforts have focused on identifying cases and their contacts. Both the cases and their contacts are isolated for about 14 days with the intention of minimizing the spread of this infection and avoiding an increase in the number of affected. At the time of writing this new version of the protocol, we are immersed in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projections of the natural history of the disease and the estimates of possible infections by SARS-CoV-2, carried out at the end of the first wave, made it possible to determine the feasibility of this second wave with the onset of cold from the autumn. Given this scenario, the University of Barcelona, together with the Gerencia Territorial del Área Metropolitana Sud, has planned to carry out, a study of seroprevalence and screnning of SARS-CoV-2 in the population of Universidad de Barcelona users. The results of this study will help to make preventive decisions in the face of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the UB, in relation to its teaching and administrative activities. In addition, this cross-sectional study can serve as the base study for a future follow-up study. HYPOTHESIS: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the group of students and workers at the University of Barcelona is similar to the incidence in the general population. MAIN OBJECTIVE: Estimate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UB community. Estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence infection in the UB community.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Breakthrough Infections Among Persons With Immunocompromising Conditions...
ImmunocompromisedImmunosuppressed4 moreThis retrospective study will evaluate characteristics, vaccine utilization and outcomes among subjects with immunocompromising conditions that received COVID-19 vaccination.
Index Individuals in SARS-CoV-2 Prevention Research Studies (COVID-19 Index Individuals Companion...
SARS-CoV-2 InfectionCOVID-192 moreClinical trials of prevention modalities for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and pneumonia are underway under separate protocol(s) for close contacts (i.e., household contacts, [e.g.,3502]) of infectious (index) individuals (3502-01). Characterizing the index individuals within households will ascertain the risk of exposure for the contact participant. These data will be used to strengthen the precision of efficacy estimates. This ancillary observational study will assess the cofactors for infectiousness among index individuals whose close contacts are enrolled in COVID-19 prevention clinical trials. Additionally, this study will assess post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in index individuals that are more than two weeks past their initial diagnosis.