In-depth Analysis of Immune Responses in the Upper Respiratory Tract in Older Adults Infected or Colonized With Streptococcus Pneumoniae (Spn)

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand the immune response in the upper respiratory tract of adults aged 60 to 85 who have pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) infection. It compares the immune reaction during the acute infection phase and recovery to that in people who carry Spn without symptoms and patients with confirmed viral respiratory infections like flu or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The study focuses on measuring inflammation in the nose and correlating it with bacterial or viral load and clinical signs, also comparing nasal and blood immune responses. Participants fall into one of three groups: hospitalized patients with confirmed Spn pneumonia, those hospitalized with flu or RSV infection, and healthy individuals carrying Spn without symptoms. Each participant will have two main visits: one within 72 hours of hospital admission and another one month later. During these visits, blood samples, nasal lining fluid, nasal cells, and saliva are collected. Nasal fluid and saliva samples are also taken every two to three days until hospital discharge or symptom resolution. Throughout the study, symptom questionnaires are completed, and various immune markers are measured including pro-inflammatory cytokines in nasal fluid, immune cell types in nasal and blood samples, antibody levels, and bacterial or viral load. Clinical outcomes like pneumonia diagnosis, severity scores, symptom severity, fever days, oxygen use, complications, ICU transfers, length of stay, mechanical ventilation, rehospitalization, and medication prescriptions are tracked for one month. The study period continues until one month after hospital admission or symptom resolution.

In-depth Analysis of the Immune Responses in the Upper Respiratory Tract in Older Adults Infected or Colonized With Streptococcus Pneumoniae (Spn)