Clinical, Molecular and Functional Biomarkers for PROgnosis, Pathomechanisms and Treatment Strategies...
COVID-19Viral Pneumonia7 moreThe pandemic triggered by the new SARS-CoV-2 presents the German health system with previously unknown challenges. There are currently no effective therapies for the treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 lung disease Covid-19. The aim of the joint project PROVID is to draw conclusions from the often very different clinical appearance of infections with the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen in order to improve patient care through targeted clinical management. The effects of infections with the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen are wide-ranging and include a spectrum from symptomlessness to infections of the upper respiratory tract, uncomplicated but also severe pneumonia with lung failure and high mortality. PROVID will first check whether certain host factors determine the severity and / or the course of Covid-19. Research is also being carried out into whether the molecular and clinical values of Covid-19 patients differ from those of patients with pneumonia caused by other pathogens. In addition, it will be tested whether specific molecular markers describe the severity of the disease and are suitable as an aid for targeted therapy for Covid-19. PROVID is an interdisciplinary joint project made up of three sub-projects that are being implemented at three locations (Charitè-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Universität Leipzig IMISE and CAPNETZ STIFTUNG / Hannover). PROVID is based on three clinical research platforms with a high track record in recruiting patients with high-quality data and biomaterials on the one hand and guideline-changing results on the other hand: CAPNETZ (competence network CAP, since 2002, world's largest database and biobank for CAP), PROGRESS (Pneumonia Research Network on Genetic Resistance and Susceptibility for the Evolution of Severe Sepsis, since 2007) and CAPSyS (systems medicine of community-acquired pneumonia, since 2014). The COVID-19 patients are recruited into 3 different patient cohorts via these 3 research platforms. 1. PROVID-CAPNETZ, 2. PROVID-PROGRESS, 3. PROVID-CAPSyS.
SEVERITY SCORE FOR COVID-19 PNEUMONIA
COVIDPneumoniaThe outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first merged in China in December 2019, is now becoming a Public Health Emergency, recently confirmed as a pandemic disease by the World Health Organization. In particular, since February 2020, a rapidly growing number of cases has been identified in Italy. The clinical picture of ranges from asymptomatic cases, mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and death. In most severe cases, COVID-19 disease may be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock and multiorgan failure. It results fundamental to early identify those subjects who rapidly may worsen their clinical status, often requiring an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. It has been showed that, mainly in more severe forms of SARS-Cov-2 disease, there is the development of an hyperinflammatory status resembling a cytokine storm syndrome, as already reported in SARS patients. A recent study by Haung et al. reported that patients with COVID-19 infection showed high amounts of IL1B, IFN-gamma, IP10 and MCP1, probably linked to activated T-helper1 (Th1) cell responses. Those requiring ICU admission had higher levels of cytokines than those subjects not requiring ICU admission, thus suggesting that cytokine storm was associated with disease severity. A similarity between cytokine profile of COVID-19 disease and secondary haemophagocytic syndrome (sHLH) has been reported. Therefore, it was suggested to screen all patients with severe COVID-19 infection both for hyperinflammatory markers (like ferritin), and the HScore commonly used to generate a probability for diagnosis of sHLH (8), which includes some laboratory parameters like triglycerides, fibrinogen, ferritin, serum aspartate aminostransferase. Based on our experience on patients affected by pneumonia from Covid19, we have observed that those subjects with a more severe prognosis might have some predictive markers. We intend to verify if these markers can identify those subjects with Covid19 infection who need a more intensive therapy and to find a prognosis score.
Evaluation of pentraxin3 as a Marker for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
Ventilator Associated PneumoniaThis study will assess the role of pentraxin3 (PTX3) in the early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and the detection of antibiotic sensitivity for different organisms isolated from tracheal aspirate.
Diagnosis of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection With Detection of Specific Antibody-secreting Cells...
Community-acquired PneumoniaTo compare presence and kinetics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp)-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) with Mp DNA and Mp-specific IgM antibodies in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) of the KIDS-STEP study.
Comparison of Bloodstream Infections With Carbapenem Hetero-resistant vs Carbapenem Resistant Klebsiella...
Bloodstream InfectionCOMBAT trial was contemplated to elucidate unknown clinical relevance of carbapenem heteroresistance among Klebsiella pneumoniae species. Bloodstream infections, type of frequently seen invasive infections that pathogen isolation, identification of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms can be performed efficiently, with carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) and carbapenem hetero-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae will be compared in terms of relevant clinical outcomes such as 30-day mortality rate, 14-day clinical cure rate, 7-day microbiological eradication rate and 90-day relapse/re-infection rate. In addition, underlying molecular resistance mechanisms causing carbapenem hetero-resistance among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates will be investigated by using whole genome sequences.
Carbapenem and Quinolone Resistance in Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Antibiotic Resistant StrainKlebsiella pneumoniae is an important pathogen that frequently causes nosocomial community-acquired and infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, pyogenic liver abscesses, and septic shock. An emerging co-existence of carbapenems and fluoroquinolone resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae is causing major difficulty in treating infections caused by such pathogen
Development of Pneumonia Due to Alveolar Glucose Levels in Systemic Hyperglycemia
Glucose Metabolism DisordersPneumonia1 moreIncidence of Pneumonia in Patients with high systemic glucose levels.
MACCE in Hospitalized Patients With Community-acquired Pneumonia
Community-acquired PneumoniaCommunity-acquired pneumonia is the most common infection leading to hospitalization in intensive care units and the most common cause of death associated with infection disease. Epidemiological studies have shown that respiratory tract infections are associated with an increased risk for the development of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. This link is further supported by studies indicating that influenza vaccination is associated with a reduced risk of hospitalization for pneumonia as well as heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Data connecting acute respiratory tract infections and cardiovascular events stem almost exclusively from cross-sectional or retrospective studies. Thus the real incidence and the prognostic impact of AMI, as well as the pathophysiological relationship between pneumonia and cardiovascular damage is still elusive. Inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. The increased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines together with the activation of coagulation, the down-regulation of anticoagulant mechanisms and the enhanced platelet aggregation may trigger atheroma's instability, plaque rupture and thrombus formation. Inflammation and coagulopathy are also considered universal host responses to infection in patients with severe sepsis. Thus far limited data are available on the changes in these high regulated systems, together with platelet activity in patients with CAP and their potential relationship with cardiovascular risk. This project will consist in a prospective multicenter study to investigate the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in hospitalized patients with CAP, its prognostic relevance and the potential relationship between enhanced cardiovascular risk and the activation of inflammation, coagulation and platelet aggregation in this setting.
Empiric Antibiotic Therapy for Ventilator-acquired Pneumonia With Gram-negative Bacilli in Intensive...
Ventilator-associated Pneumoniathis study aims to verify the adequacy of doses of antibiotics prescribed in clinical practice for the treatment of ventilated acquired pneumonia (VAP) in the intensive care unit (ICU) with the pharmacodynamic efficacy criteria considered relevant literature. The impact of these pharmacodynamic parameters on the clinical and microbiological VAP will be evaluated.
Understanding Pneumococcal Carriage and Disease 2017-2020
Streptococcus Pneumoniae InfectionStreptococcus Pneumoniae2 moreStreptococcus pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that is carried (lives) in the nose of most individuals and can sometimes go on to cause severe infections such as meningitis and pneumonia. There are over 100 types of pneumococcus, and children in the UK have been routinely immunized against pneumococcal disease since 2006. A vaccine against 13 types of pneumococcus (PCV 13) was introduced into the UK in 2010, replacing a previous version that prevented 7 types. Pneumococcal carriage in the Thames Valley region has been studied over the last 7 years with carriage rates having been shown to be reflective of potential severe pneumococcal disease and hence vaccine effect. The main purpose of this study is to see whether the pneumococcal immunization program has changed the frequency and nature of pneumococcal bacteria carried by children, as this may give a clue as to what changes in pneumococcal disease are likely to be seen in the future. In addition, this study is especially timely given the possibility of a change in the PCV 13 immunization schedule that is currently being assessed in the 'Sched3' Immunization study (NCT02482636). Obtaining accurate baseline data will be important in informing the interpretation of any subsequent data on carriage rates obtained following introduction of the new schedule. This study will enrol up to 1600 children aged 13 to 48 months living in the Thames Valley and South Midlands and which have had three doses of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. In addition, up to 800, 6-12 month old children who have received a priming dose of PCV13 will be recruited. The study consists of one visit done at a convenient venue (GP surgeries, educational/ play settings, or home) where a single nasal swab and an optional finger-prick blood sample for a sub-set of 632 participants, will be performed. No additional follow-up is needed. The study recruitment period will be from 2017 onwards.