Community-acquired pneumonia in adults: who is at risk?

Epidemiological Study on Community Acquired Pneumonia

Capnetz Stiftung · NCT02139163

This project collects clinical data and biological samples from adults with community-acquired pneumonia to see which risk factors, causes, and outcomes are linked to the illness.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment20000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCapnetz Stiftung (other)
Locations1 site (Hanover)
Trial IDNCT02139163 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The CAPNETZ project is a prospective, multicenter observational cohort enrolling adults with radiographically confirmed community-acquired pneumonia from hospitals and outpatient clinics. At enrollment it records medical history, medications, physical exam findings, routine imaging, and collects blood, urine, and respiratory specimens for microbiology and chemistry. Participants have in-person follow-ups at days 3 and 7 and telephone follow-ups at 28 and 180 days while treating physicians provide usual care and no experimental interventions are applied. The study aims to map prevalence, risk factors, pathogen patterns, and how CAP interacts with comorbidities including immunosuppression and HIV.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a new community-acquired pneumonia confirmed by chest X-ray who have cough, purulent sputum, abnormal lung auscultation (crackles), or fever and who can consent to follow-up and sample collection.

Not a fit: People under 18, patients with recently diagnosed active pulmonary tuberculosis, those hospitalized more than 48 hours before the pneumonia diagnosis, or anyone unwilling to provide consent or biological samples are unlikely to receive benefit from joining.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help doctors identify high-risk patients and tailor diagnosis and treatment to reduce complications and deaths from CAP.

How similar studies have performed: Large observational cohorts including CAPNETZ and other epidemiological programs have previously identified common pathogens and risk factors for CAP, so this cohort design is well established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* age ≥ 18
* infiltrate on chest X-ray
* further Inclusion criteria (at least one must apply): cough or purulent sputum or pathologic lung auscultation (crackles) or fever

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hospitalization lasting longer than 48 hours prior to the diagnosis of the current pneumonia
* Newly diagnosed, active pulmonary tuberculosis within the last 2 months

Where this trial is running

Hanover

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Community Acquired Pneumonia, Community acquired pneumonia, CAP, CAPNETZ, age ≥18, infiltrate on chest X-ray, cough or production of purulent sputum, pathologic lung auscultation

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.