Nasal immune responses in older adults with pneumococcal or viral respiratory infections
Official title: In-depth Analysis of the Immune Responses in the Upper Respiratory Tract in Older Adults Infected or Colonized With Streptococcus Pneumoniae (Spn)
Run by University Hospital, Geneva · NCT06998251 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Ages | 60 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 280 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Geneva Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Geneva) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 3, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 2026 |
| Study ends | November 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 31, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06998251 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.