Host Response and Pathogen Genomics in Childhood Respiratory Infection

Starting soon

Conditions studied: Pneumonia

In brief

A major challenge in children's infections is that it is difficult to work out which bug is making them unwell. Tests can find the bugs that are present though there can be more than one. Some bugs may just be bystanders and not actually making the child sick. Children still receive antibiotics because it is not always clear that they don't need them. This project explores whether measuring how the body is reacting to the bugs gives precise information about which bug is actually making them sick. It will investigate children in intensive care who are suspected of having a chest infection. This study uses a novel technology called "metagenomics" to detect any bacteria or viruses in the lung. Alongside this, investigators will measure how the lungs respond to the bugs through further tests of cells and proteins collected from the lung fluid. This fluid will be tested to see if the response is due to bacteria or viruses. Collecting lung fluid samples requires that children are sedated and intubated, having a breathing tube in place. This means that only children intubated in intensive care are eligible. Extra samples of lung fluid and blood will be collected when being taken for routine clinical care. If these tests work, they have the potential to give rapid and accurate information about what type of infection is taking place in the lung. This means the correct antibiotics can be given to children who need them and avoid the harms of giving them to children who do not. This can reduce cost, improve patient outcomes and help limit the development of antibiotic resistance.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT07545096
Run by
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
People needed
50
Starts
2026-05-01
Expected to finish
2027-03-01
Last updated by the study team
2026-04-22

Who can join

Age: any, up to 16. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

You may not qualify if…

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.