Detecting pneumonia in patients on ventilators
Official title: Early detection and identification of ventilator associated pneumonia
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10820510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, gentle way to help doctors find out if patients on ventilators have pneumonia by collecting tiny particles from their breath, which could lead to quicker and more accurate treatment for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $198,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HL163417-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10820510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who are mechanically ventilated, particularly those with acute respiratory distress syndrome or COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on mechanical ventilation or do not have a risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the detection of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients who are mechanically ventilated. It aims to develop a non-invasive system that collects exhaled respiratory aerosols, allowing for the differentiation between pathogens causing infection and those that are merely colonizing the airways. By capturing samples from both the proximal and distal airways, the research seeks to enhance the accuracy of VAP diagnosis and enable timely treatment. This innovative approach could lead to more frequent and effective monitoring of patients at risk for VAP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of pneumonia in ventilated patients, improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing non-invasive diagnostic techniques for respiratory infections, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Corcoran, Timothy E — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Corcoran, Timothy E
Related research
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-
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-
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-
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Bacterial Biofilm Therapy with a Human Antibody to Help Antibiotics Work Better
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.