Understanding Chronic Critical Illness After Severe Injury or Infection
Official title: Immunological Endotyping of Chronic Critical Illness after Severe Trauma or Sepsis
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11144925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to better understand why some patients stay very sick for a long time after severe injuries or infections like sepsis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $388,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM142481-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have experienced severe traumatic injury or sepsis and are experiencing a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit with ongoing organ dysfunction would be the focus of this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who recover quickly from acute trauma or sepsis and do not develop chronic critical illness would likely not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
When people experience severe injuries or infections, their bodies can react strongly, sometimes leading to organ failure. While many now survive the initial crisis, some enter a state of chronic critical illness, meaning they stay in the intensive care unit for a long time with ongoing organ problems. These patients often face repeated infections, muscle weakness, and difficulty recovering physically. We believe a condition called Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism (PICS) is a key reason for these long-term issues. This project seeks to identify specific immune patterns in PICS to help us understand this complex illness better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify and treat patients at risk for or suffering from chronic critical illness, improving their long-term recovery and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism (PICS) is gaining recognition, this project proposes to define it as a unique immunological type, which is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brakenridge, Scott Charles — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Brakenridge, Scott Charles
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Immunological Endotyping and Intervention for Chronic Critical Illness after Sepsis
Aimed at people who have survived sepsis after surgery, this grant seeks to understand why some patients develop long-term organ problems and how to tailor treatments to their immune responses.
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Precision medicine in sepsis with critical illness
A patient-facing overview of a Stanford-led effort to tailor sepsis treatment by identifying subgroups of patients who may respond to specific therapies.
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Personalized Care for Sepsis and Critical Illness
This work aims to find different types of sepsis in patients to help doctors choose the best treatments for each person.
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Understanding immune responses in patients with chronic critical illness after severe trauma or sepsis
This study is looking at how the immune system works in people who have survived serious injuries or infections and are dealing with ongoing health problems, like frequent infections and muscle weakness, to find better ways to help them feel better.
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Understanding how different biological responses affect sepsis treatment
This study is looking at different ways sepsis affects people based on their immune responses, so we can find better treatments that fit each person's needs and improve care for those dealing with this serious condition.
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Role of blood flow mechanics and transfusion in sepsis-related tiny-cl vessel clots
A patient-focused look at how red blood cell flow and transfusions might influence tiny blood vessel clots and organ problems in sepsis.
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.