Clinical Research Directory

A Validation Study of the Lab Clasp Device: A Point of Care Sepsis Risk Monitor

The overall purpose of this study is to demonstrate the usability of a clinical-grade device in the form of a finger clasp similar to a pulse oximeter for monitoring lactate values, by comparing its performance in reading interstitial fluid lactate values against a known clinical standard in the form of venous lactate levels. Serum lactate measurements are used clinically as a measure of end-organ dysfunction and physiologic stress. Changes in lactate may indicate worsening infection in the setting of sepsis, drug toxicity for certain xenobiotics, or exercise tolerance in exercise physiology. Serum lactate cutoffs have been developed for various disease states and trigger a variety of medical decisions directed at managing the course of the disease. A common theme in the application of lactate measurements to understanding changes in physiology is the need to obtain venous blood to determine lactate. While point-of-care assays have been developed that improve the processing speed, there continues to be a need to obtain fingerstick blood or in most cases, venous blood. Obtaining venous blood for serum lactate requires an individual with phlebotomy skills, the processing capabilities of a laboratory to determine lactate concentrations, or the availability of point of care technology. An alternative method to measure lactate is to sample interstitial fluid which surrounds cells and tissues in the body. Obtaining interstitial fluid is potentially less invasive without the need for repeat phlebotomy or the presence of an indwelling intravenous catheter which can become complicated by infection. The analysis of interstitial fluid for glucose has been validated and is clinically utilized in continuous glucose monitors in individuals with diabetes. In this investigation, the investigators will utilize a novel device, the Lab Clasp to obtain interstitial fluid in a noninvasive method. The Lab Clasp is manufactured to resemble a finger pulse oximeter with additional onboard microfluidics channels that obtain a lactate concentration from interstitial fluid. This streamlined process of obtaining the point of care lactate measurements on demand allows for tasks like serial lactate measurements to be accomplished on a reliable schedule with less workload for nursing staff typically required to draw venous blood. Additionally, the portable and noninvasive nature of the Lab Clasp system may render it usable in facilities that lack skilled staff necessary to perform phlebotomy.

Therapeutic Options for CRAB

CRAB infections in ICUs are on the rise, leading to higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs due to resistance to most antibiotics, including carbapenems. The main resistance mechanisms include carbapenemases, efflux pumps, and changes in the bacterial cell wall. Current treatments include polymyxins (Colistin, Polymyxin B), which are effective but can lead to resistance, aminoglycosides (Amikacin, Gentamicin), which are limited by resistance, and tetracyclines (Tigecycline, Eravacycline), which are effective against CRAB. Fosfomycin is effective in combination treatments, and combination therapy (e.g., colistin with sulbactam, fosfomycin, or eravacycline) can enhance outcomes. Previous research shows promise for combination therapies, improving treatment efficacy and reducing mortality. New regimens are being studied to find optimal combinations. Individualized dosing is crucial, considering patient-specific factors like age, weight, and renal function. Adjustments depend on the infection site and comorbidities. Strict infection control and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are essential. ASPs focus on optimizing antibiotic use and reducing resistance through education and surveillance. Future directions include continued research for new drugs or combinations and strategies to overcome resistance and improve treatment efficacy. Study goals include achieving negative samples after 10 days of therapy, 30-day survival, discharge rates, reduced SOFA scores, and improved clinical and radiological findings. A randomized study will compare colistin combined with fosfomycin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and eravacycline. In summary, treating CRAB infections is complex, requiring combination therapy, individualized dosing, and strict infection control measures.

Prospective Validation of GRADY: A Machine Learning Model for Early Sepsis and Bacteremia Detection in ICU Patients

This study aims to prospectively validate the GRADY prediction models, which use machine learning algorithms to estimate the risk of gram-negative bacteremia and sepsis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients based on routinely collected vital signs and laboratory data. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition associated with high ICU mortality, requires early diagnosis and treatment-yet current diagnostic methods relying on blood cultures are time-consuming. Existing scoring systems such as SOFA, SIRS, and NEWS2 often lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity in early sepsis detection. Unlike traditional tools, the GRADY models seek to provide earlier and more accurate risk stratification. This study will compare the clinical performance of GRADY models against standard scoring systems and explore their integration as early warning tools to support rapid intervention and improve outcomes in critical care.

Clinical Outcomes and Inflammatory Responses in Viral vs. Bacterial Sepsis

This observational cohort study aims to compare clinical outcomes and inflammatory responses between patients with viral sepsis, specifically COVID-19-associated sepsis, and those with bacterial sepsis. Conducted at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, the study will retrospectively analyze data from ICU patients admitted between July 2021 and December 2023. The primary objective is to identify reliable biomarkers and diagnostic methods to improve patient outcomes through personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Molecular Culture for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Sepsis

Babies and children have an increased risk of getting an infection with a bacteria in the bloodstream (sepsis). It is often difficult for the doctor to determine whether a child has an infection of the bloodstream, because the symptoms are often unclear and can also occur in children who are not sick. To determine whether there is an infection, a little blood is currently taken for a blood test (the blood culture) to investigate whether there is a bacteria in the blood. However, it often takes at least 36 hours before the results of this blood culture are available. That is why antibiotics are usually started immediately to treat the possible infection. However, it often turns out that the blood culture is negative after 36 hours, which means that no bacteria have been found in the blood. Usually the antibiotics are then stopped because it turns out that there was no infection at all. There is currently no good test that can predict whether (newborn) children have an infection or not. That is why too many children are currently wrongly receiving antibiotics. These antibiotics can damage the healthy bacteria in the intestines. There are many billions of 'beneficial bacteria' in the intestine. These play an important role in the digestion of food and protect against external infections. Antibiotics aim to kill bacteria that cause inflammation or infection. Unfortunately, antibiotics also kill some of these beneficial bacteria. In addition, unnecessary use of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance. The aim of this research is to investigate whether Molecular Culture, a PCR based test that can identify bacterial pathogens in bodily fluids within 4 hours, has greater accuracy than traditional culturing techniques for bacteria in blood. If proven, this could lead to faster identification or exclusion of sepsis in children.

18-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in S. Aureus Bacteraemia

Having bacteria in the blood can be very dangerous. This is called bacteraemia (or bacteremia) or bloodstream infection. It can lead to problems across the whole body, which is what happens in sepsis. Bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) cause one kind of bacteraemia. Up to a third of people with this condition die within three months, even with antibiotics. One reason for such severe problems is that the bacteria can spread almost anywhere in the body, and hide in places where they are very hard to find. When people with S. aureus bacteraemia come into hospital and have had antibiotics, doctors sometimes cannot tell if they still have an infection source (called a 'focus') hiding in their body. The focus can be like an abscess and may need removing or the pus draining out. A focus might be obvious, if there is pain or swelling, or it might be hidden and deep. If these 'foci' can be found, then doctors can treat them and this helps to cure patients. To improve survival for patients with these life-threatening infections, it is vital that doctors find the focus of S. aureus bacteraemia as quickly as possible. However, the research team do not know the best way to do this. Most patients with S. aureus bacteraemia have a chest X-ray and a scan of the heart valves. Patients may go to the scanning department lots of times while doctors try to work out where these foci are. This is uncomfortable and takes a lot of time. In about 1 in 5 cases the doctors still cannot find the focus. This is very worrying for patients, their relatives and doctors. This study has been designed by researchers, doctors and patient advocates. It aims to work out if fewer patients may die when a specific type of scan called a 'PET/CT' is done quickly, because it finds more foci. To do this the team plan to do a clinical trial in patients with S. aureus bacteraemia. Half of the patients will receive the usual tests that patients currently get and the other half will receive an extra scan as soon as possible. The patients will be chosen randomly (like the flip of a coin) to go into one of the 2 groups. A year into the trial, an independent committee will check the results to make sure the extra scan is finding more foci. If this is the case, the trial will carry on. At the end of the study, we will share the results globally. The findings are expected to change the way this dangerous condition is managed, so patients do better.