Using advanced techniques to diagnose respiratory infections in children
Official title: Integrated Host/Microbe (IHM) Metagenomics of the Lower Airway to Diagnose PediatricRespiratory Infections, Identify Etiologic Pathogens, and Predict Outcomes
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11050513 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help doctors better diagnose lung infections in critically ill children on breathing machines by using advanced testing to find germs and understand how they affect the body, with the goal of giving kids the right treatment and reducing unnecessary antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $781,129 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI182308-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050513 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are critically ill children under 12 years old who are experiencing acute respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not critically ill or do not require mechanical ventilation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in children, particularly those who are critically ill and require mechanical ventilation. By utilizing integrated host/microbe metagenomic sequencing, the study aims to analyze samples from the airway to identify pathogens and understand the interactions between the microbiome and the immune response. This approach seeks to provide more accurate diagnoses, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and improve patient outcomes. The study will involve a multicenter cohort of 400 children, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of this innovative diagnostic method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of respiratory infections in children, ultimately improving treatment and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using metagenomic sequencing for diagnosing infections, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in pediatric care.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Langelier, Charles — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Langelier, Charles
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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.