Tracking infections and antibiotic resistance in newborns in hospitals
Official title: Metagenomic surveillance of pathogen and antimicrobial resistance gene transmission in hospitalized neonates
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10947659 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how germs and antibiotic resistance spread among newborns in NICUs, and it aims to find better ways to keep babies safe from infections while they're in the hospital.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 23, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $197,748 |
| NIH project number | 1K23AI185326-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947659 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are hospitalized neonates in NICUs who are at risk for healthcare-associated infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not hospitalized in NICUs or who do not have risk factors for healthcare-associated infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how infections and antibiotic resistance spread among newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). By using advanced metagenomic sequencing techniques, the study will analyze samples from infants and their environments to identify pathogens and resistance genes. Patients will be monitored through weekly nasal and skin swabs, along with environmental samples, to understand how these infections are transmitted. The goal is to improve infection control strategies in hospitals and reduce the impact of healthcare-associated infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies for infections in newborns, ultimately reducing hospital stays and improving health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using metagenomic sequencing has shown promise in understanding pathogen dynamics and antibiotic resistance, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chu, Victoria Tien-Yu — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chu, Victoria Tien-Yu
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.