Metagenomic lung testing to find and predict causes of severe breathing infections in children
Integrated Host/Microbe (IHM) Metagenomics of the Lower Airway to Diagnose PediatricRespiratory Infections, Identify Etiologic Pathogens, and Predict Outcomes
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11252343
This project uses one advanced genetic test on breathing-tube samples from critically ill children to find germs, measure airway microbes, and read the child’s immune response to help guide diagnosis and predict how they may do.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11252343 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If my child is in the ICU on a breathing machine for sudden severe lung failure, doctors would collect a single tracheal sample and run integrated host/microbe metagenomic sequencing to look for all pathogens plus the airway microbiome and host immune signals. The study will enroll about 400 critically ill children across multiple hospitals and compare the sequencing results with routine clinical tests and patient outcomes. Researchers will use these combined signals to try to distinguish true infection from harmless carriage or noninfectious causes and to develop predictors of recovery or worsening. The goal is to validate a single, culture-independent test that could speed diagnosis and inform treatment decisions in pediatric critical care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Critically ill children (typically infants to under 12 years) who require mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure or suspected severe lower respiratory infection at participating hospitals.
Not a fit: Children with mild outpatient respiratory illness, those not intubated, or patients whose problems are clearly noninfectious are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce a faster, more accurate test that reduces unnecessary antibiotics and helps clinicians predict which children are likely to recover or need more intensive care.
How similar studies have performed: Prior pilot work, including by this team, has shown metagenomic sequencing can detect pathogens in ventilated patients, but large prospective validation in pediatric ICU populations is still limited.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LANGELIER, CHARLES — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: LANGELIER, CHARLES
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 below.
Conditions: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Airway infections