Understanding Sepsis Risk in Severely Burned Patients

Identification of sub-phenotypes of severely ill burn patients and risk for secondary sepsis: SEPSISBURN

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11163268

This research aims to find early signs in severely burned adults that tell us who might get a serious infection called sepsis, which is a major cause of death.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11163268 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Severe burn injuries can trigger a strong body-wide reaction and heart problems, leading to shock and organ damage. Sepsis, a life-threatening infection, is a major concern for burn patients, but it's hard to tell who is at high risk or if their symptoms are from sepsis or the burn itself. Our goal is to discover unique patterns in the body's initial response to a burn that might predict who will develop sepsis. By looking at specific biological markers, we hope to create better ways to detect sepsis early in burn patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research focuses on adult patients (21 years and older) who have experienced severe burn injuries and are admitted to intensive care.

Not a fit: Patients with minor burns or those not at risk for sepsis would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection and better prevention strategies for sepsis in severely burned patients, potentially saving lives.

How similar studies have performed: While some studies have looked at biomarkers for sepsis in burn patients, they often involved small groups or had limited predictive value, indicating a need for new approaches.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.