Nasal immune responses in older adults with pneumococcal or viral respiratory infections
In-depth Analysis of the Immune Responses in the Upper Respiratory Tract in Older Adults Infected or Colonized With Streptococcus Pneumoniae (Spn)
This project will test whether nasal immune responses differ in adults 60–85 with pneumococcal pneumonia, older adults carrying pneumococcus without symptoms, and those with flu or RSV.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 280 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Geneva Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Geneva) |
| Trial ID | NCT06998251 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will enroll adults aged 60–85 with confirmed pneumococcal pneumonia, older adults with laboratory-confirmed influenza or RSV, and healthy asymptomatic carriers of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Participants will have two visits with blood draws, multiple nasal samplings (nasal lining fluid and nasal cells) and a saliva collection, one visit within 72 hours of hospital admission and a follow-up about one month later. The study will quantify inflammatory markers in the nasal cavity, measure bacterial or viral load, and correlate these findings with clinical parameters. Nasal immune measures will also be compared to systemic (blood) immune responses to understand local versus systemic inflammation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 60–85 who can consent and are either hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal pneumonia, have lab-confirmed influenza or RSV, or are healthy asymptomatic carriers of pneumococcus willing to provide nasal and blood samples.
Not a fit: People who are immunosuppressed, currently using inhaled or nasal steroids, on long-term antibiotics, or receiving invasive mechanical ventilation are excluded and unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians predict disease severity or guide targeted prevention and treatment strategies by linking nasal inflammation to pathogen load and symptoms in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies have characterized nasal and systemic immune responses to respiratory pathogens, but direct comparisons between pneumococcal pneumonia, asymptomatic carriage, and viral infections specifically in older adults remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Aged 60-85 years * Able to provide informed consent either independently or by a legal representative * Group 1 (Spn pneumonia patients): clinical and/or radiological signs of pneumonia * Group 1 (Spn pneumonia patients): positive Spn urinary antigen and/or blood culture and/or positive sputum test. * Group 2 (viral respiratory infection patients): clinical signs of a respiratory infection * Group 2 (viral respiratory infection patients): positive test for influenza or RSV * Group 3 (asymptomatic Spn-carriers): healthy without clinical signs of infection and no lower respiratory symptoms within the last month. Exclusion criteria: * Immunosuppression, * Use of inhalation and/or nasal steroids the last month * Intubation or under invasive mechanical ventilation * Long-term antibiotic treatment prior to disease onset
Where this trial is running
Geneva
- Geneva University Hospitals — Geneva, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Arnaud Didierlaurent, PhD — University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Study coordinator: Jennifer Villers, PhD
- Email: jennifer.villers@hug.ch
- Phone: +41 79 553 88 86
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.