Mechanisms of bacterial infection in patients with influenzae
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mechanisms for the susceptibility to bacterial infection in those with influenzae
IRAS ID
171547
Contact name
Elizabeth Sapey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Bacterial infection (bugs) in the lungs of people with ‘flu’ (viral influenza) infection causes severe disease, especially in the elderly. People with viral infections are more prone to bacterial infection, in particular with a bug called Streptococcus pneumoniae. Despite the great clinical need for greater understanding, there has been little research done to understand the effects of dual infection. In this pilot study we intend to get some initial information regarding how dual viral/bacterial infection works, including in coronavirus infection. To do this we will be looking at how influenza affect the way the body fights off infection. We will also be looking at other factors that may increase the risk of getting a bacterial infection, including low vitamin D levels, the type of bacteria and fungi that live in the nose and throat, and what proteins are found on the surface of these bacteria. We will answer these questions by recruiting patients diagnosed with viral influenza. With their permission we will take blood samples, as well as swabs. We will measure how well their body fights infection compared to people with pneumonia but no evidence of influenza. We will also identify which bacteria are isolated from the nose swabs and see if there is any pattern which increases your risk of developing pneumonia. If we isolate Streptococcus pneumoniae, we will see if they have encoded in their genetic make-up, proteins that are related to harmful infections in animals. We will see which of these bacterial proteins are related to developing pneumonia in patients.\nBy identifying patients at risk of dual viral/bacterial infection early, we hope to develop tests and potential treatments so that we can prevent them from getting more serious disease. [COVID-19 amendmet 18/05/2020] This amendment allows us to alter our sampling protocols to include patients suffering from COVID-19, which results in pneumonia similar to influenza. We aim to contribute to the global effort to understand disease progression during this pandemic, by understanding the immune response and infectious agents in the lungs.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0026
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion