Using sequencing to predict outcomes of pneumonia in ventilated patients

Predicting Ventilator-associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Outcomes Using Sequenced-based Early Microbiological Response: A Multi-center Prospective Study

Observational The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University · NCT06467864

This study is testing if analyzing germs in the lungs of patients on ventilators can help predict how well they will recover from pneumonia.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Nanjing, Jiangsu)
Trial IDNCT06467864 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study utilizes a tool called QtNGS to analyze the abundance of pathogens in patients suffering from ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections. By measuring changes in pathogen levels before and after treatment, the study aims to establish a correlation between these changes and patient outcomes. The research involves bronchoscopy to collect respiratory specimens for analysis, focusing on patients who have been on mechanical ventilation for over 48 hours and exhibit signs of infection.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have been on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours and show signs of lower respiratory tract infection.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have evidence of infection by study-associated lower respiratory pathogens or refuse participation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved prognostic tools for managing pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches using sequencing technologies have shown promise in other contexts, this specific application in ventilator-associated infections is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18 years and above.
* Previously relied on mechanical ventilation (endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy) for breathing assistance, and the duration of mechanical ventilation was more than 48h.
* Lower respiratory tract infection based on at least two of the followings: abnormal temperature (body temperature greater than 38.5°C or less than 36.5°C), leucocyte count abnormality (leucocyte count greater than 12\*10\^9/L or less than 4\*10\^9/L), and the presence of purulent tracheal secretions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Bronchoscopy and respiratory specimen collection were not performed at screening (Day 1) and after 3 days of treatment (Day 4).
* Refusal of patients or families to participate in the study
* After initial screening, bronchoscopy was performed to obtain BALF for bacterial culture. The results of the culture showed no evidence of infection by study-associated lower respiratory pathogens.

Note: The evidence of infection was defined as a single positive bacterial culture (pathogen quantification ≥10\^4 cfu/ml or "++" and more) on Day1. And the study-associated causative pathogens are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the included patient must have single infection with one of these pathogens.

Where this trial is running

Nanjing, Jiangsu

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.
Conditions Pneumonia, Ventilator-AssociatedRespiratory Tract InfectionsPrognosis
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.