Study of Autophagy and the Effects of GALIG Gene Products in HIV-1 Infected Patients Who Are Under...
AutophagyGalectins2 moreLittle is known about autophagy during HIV infection. Recently, two different teams reported important dysfunctions of autophagy in HIV-infected patients despite sustained suppressive antiretroviral therapy. As altered autophagy is strongly linked to cellular senescence and chronic inflammation, two hallmarks of HIV-infected patients despite long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy, it is important to improve our knowledge in the area. Our main objective is to determine whether all or part of mononuclear cell subpopulations (CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and monocytes) exhibit a defect in autophagy function in a cohort of HIV-infected patients who are virologically-controlled (plasma HIV RNA <50 copies / ml) either spontaneously (i.e. HIV controllers or post-treatment controllers) or after they started antiretroviral therapy at different time points (i.e. at the acute or chronic phases), as compared with a control group (i.e. uninfected healthy blood donors).
Characteristics of Patients With Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
Necrotizing Soft Tissue InfectionTo study the demographic characteristic of patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections.
Neutrophil Phenotypic Profiling and Surgical Site Infections in Surgical Patients
Surgical Site InfectionSurgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the major hospital acquired infections and responsible for the most cost among the hospital acquired infections. The objective of this study is to assess the neutrophil functional profiles and their associations with SSIs.
Is the EBJIS Definition of Prosthetic Joint Infection Meaningful in Our Clinical Practice?
Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI)This retrospective multi-center, multi-national cohort study is to validate the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) Definition of Prosthetic Joint Infection. Specifically, it is to analyze the outcome of the Infection Likely group and compare it to the Infection Unlikely group as well as other subgroups within previous validated definitions (Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS)/International Consensus on Musculoskeletal Infection (ICM) 2013 and ICM 2018).
Occurrence of Antibodies Cross-reacting With Autoantigens in Primary EBV Infection
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) InfectionThe aim of this study is to assess the occurrence of antibodies cross-reacting with autoantigens that have been detected in the context of SLE in patients with primary EBV infection over time compared to a control group. It is to establish a biobank of patients with primary EBV infection allowing to longitudinally analyze the immune response and its accompanying inflammatory processes with focus on the occurrence of antibodies cross-reacting with autoantigens associated with SLE and other autoimmune diseases. Substudies will analyze characteristics of primary EBV infection patients treated with antibiotics in comparison to patients treated without antibiotics and outcomes of these treatment regimens (occurrence of acute complications such as peritonsillar abscess (PTA) or need for tonsillectomy, frequency of fatigue or symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome). Procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations in primary EBV infection compared to control patients with similar symptoms and its association with disease severity and local complications. the occurrence of fatigue and symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome 6 and 12 months after primary EBV infection.
Vitamin D3 Supplementation to Prevent Respiratory Tract Infections
Respiratory Tract InfectionsCovid191 moreThe Cooper vitamin D3 study is a randomized study investigating whether daily vitamin D3 supplementation can prevent respiratory tract infections, influenza-like illness and covid-19 in hospital workers.
Acutelines: a Large Data-/Biobank of Acute and Emergency Medicine
Acute DiseaseSepsis17 moreResearch in acute care faces many challenges, including enrollment challenges, legal limitations in data sharing, limited funding, and lack of singular ownership of the domain of acute care. To overcome some of these challenges, the Center of Acute Care of the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, has established a de novo data-, image- and biobank named "Acutelines". Acutelines is initiated to improve recognition and treatment of acute diseases and obtain insight in the consequences of acute diseases, including factors predicting its outcome. Thereby, Acutelines contributes to development of personalized treatment and improves prediction of patient outcomes after an acute admission.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of HIV Infections in Transgender and Non-binary People in Flanders and...
HIV InfectionsBackground: HIV prevalence and sexual risk have been estimated very high for transgender people. However, the limited sampling and data collection methods used in current research on transgender people potentially led to overrepresentation and generalisation of people at risk for HIV. Current HIV prevalence estimates in transgender populations are generalised from studies mainly focusing on transgender women who engage in sex work. Moreover, current research remains cisnormative, and studies focusing on non-binary people, who identify with a broad range of identities beyond the traditional male and female gender identities, are scarce. Objective: This study aims to estimate the HIV prevalence rate in the Flemish and Brussels (Belgium) transgender population, including transgender women as well as transgender men and non-binary people, and identifying the associated individual and community-level risk factors. Methods: In this community-based cross-sectional study, self-identified transgender and non-binary (TGNB) people will be recruited through a two-stage time-location sampling approach to minimize selection bias. In a first part, community settings in which TGNB people gather will be mapped using qualitative and ethnographic research methods, to reveal how the TGNB community in Flanders and Brussels is structured and to develop an accurate sampling frame. In a second part, to select the respondents, a multistage sampling design is applied involving a stratification based on setting type (healthcare facilities vs outreach events), a selection of clusters by systematic sampling and a simple random selection of TGNB people within each cluster. Participants will complete an electronic self-reported survey to measure sociological, sexual and drug-using behaviors (risk factors) and, at the same time, oral fluid aliquots will be collected and tested for HIV antibodies. Logistic regression models will be used to evaluate risk factors independently associated with HIV infection. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study will be the first to investigate the HIV prevalence rates and behaviors that increase risk and vulnerability for HIV infection in an accurate representation of the TGNB population in a West European country. The findings of this study will globally serve as a knowledge base for identifying subgroups at risk for becoming infected with HIV within TGNB people and to set up targeted prevention programs on sexual health.
Fever of Unknown Orgin Registry in Internal Medicine Unit and Infectious Disease Units
Fever of Unknown OriginThis registry has the aim to collect epidemiological and clinical data of classical FUO cases in Italian Internal medicine Dept. and in Italian Infection diseases Dept.
Febrile Infant Diagnostic Assessment and Outcome Study
Urinary Tract InfectionsMeningitis2 moreFebrile infants under 3 months of age represent a high risk group for invasive bacterial infection (IBI) and UTI with approximately 10-20% having bacteremia, meningitis or urinary tract infection. The assessment of febrile infants is challenging, and current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance advocates a cautious approach with the majority of infants requiring a septic screen, parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics, and admission to hospital. Internationally there is significant variation in the approach to febrile infants with European and USA guidance advocating a tailored approach based on clinical features and biomarker testing. None of the available clinical decision aids (CDA) have been validated in a UK and Irish cohort. The main objectives of the FIDO study are to report performance accuracy of CDA in a UK (United Kingdom) and Irish population, and describe the aetiology of SBI in young infants. The FIDO study is a prospective observational cohort study of infants under 90 days of age with a measured fever greater than 38 Centrigrade within 24 hours of presentation. The study will run for approximately 12 months and recruit a minimum of 1000 participants.Symptoms, clinical features and laboratory results will be recorded on an electronic case report form (CRF) by the attending clinician.