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Contact Information:

Prof John Simpson
j.simpson@ncl.ac.uk


Prof John Simpson
j.simpson@ncl.ac.uk


Study Location:

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Effects of Critical Illness on the Innate Immune System

Effects of Critical Illness on the Innate Immune System

Recruiting

Open to: Female / Male

Age: 18 Years - N/A

Medical Conditions

Other infectious diseases


This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


1 in 5 patients in intensive care units (ICU) develop an infection; those who develop an infection have double the mortality rate of those who do not. Caring for critically ill people is challenging, it is difficult to identify an infection and understandably doctors tend to treat with a wider range of antibiotics for longer periods. We know however, that an increasing number of bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This leaves us with an urgent need to find alternative treatments.

There are two main reasons why critically ill patients are more likely to develop an infection. Firstly, medical interventions essential to support their recovery - such as the ventilators that help them to breathe – increase the risk of infection. Secondly, the innate immune system, the body’s initial defence against infection, does not work as well in the critically ill. Innate immunity requires the coordination of several components including the function of white blood cells and of the cells that line the inside of blood vessels (endothelial cells). The reasons why innate immunity often fails in critically ill patients are not understood.

The function of white blood cells during critical illness, and the interaction between different types of white blood cell and the cells lining blood vessels has yet to be investigated during infection.

This study aims to investigate the innate immune system in critically ill people with an emphasis on white blood cells and the cells lining blood vessels. This should suggest the design of new therapies that could act as an alternative to antibiotics.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

18 Jun 2018 30 Jan 2030

Observational

Observational type: Cohort study;



You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


Exclusion criteria • < 18 years of age • Pregnancy • Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus • Haematological malignancy • Concurrent use of immunosuppressant medication other than corticosteroids (allowed up to prednisolone 10mg/day or equivalent)


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Freeman Hospital
    Freeman Road
    high Heaton
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    Tyne And Wear
    NE7 7DN
  • The Royal Victoria Infirmary
    Queen Victoria Road
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    Tyne And Wear
    NE1 4LP
  • Sunderland Royal Hospital
    Kayll Road
    Sunderland
    SR4 7TP

Prof John Simpson
j.simpson@ncl.ac.uk


Prof John Simpson
j.simpson@ncl.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by THE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST and funded by Medical Research Council (MRC) .




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for Trial ID: CPMS 37019

Last updated 25 March 2025

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