Stored sample pneumonia profiling
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Profiling of pathogen and host nucleic acids in stored samples from patients with pneumonia
IRAS ID
358890
Contact name
Andrew Conway Morris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients with pneumonia suffer high rates of mortality and morbidity. Diagnosis and differentiation from non-infectious causes of lung injury is challenging and leads to frequent over-use of antibiotics. This increases the risks of antimicrobial associated harm and antimicrobial resistance. We currently have few treatments beyond antimicrobials to manage pneumonia, and attempts at modifying the host response have had limited and variable success. We have recently developed a set of tools to help diagnose pneumonia, focussing on identification of pathogens and profiling the host response. The use of molecular detection of pathogens allowed earlier and more accurate targeting antimicrobial therapy whilst helping limit over-use. The profiling of host responses revealed important and distinct phenotypes in the lungs that may be susceptible to specific immunomodulatory therapies. The aim of this study is to use stored samples from patients with confirmed or suspected pneumonia to validate the diagnostic tests we have developed, profiling both the pathogens and the immune responses. This will help develop improve outcomes for patients with pneumonia by improving diagnosis and guiding new treatments.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0069
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion