Lira

Researchers are conducting an international observational study to understand acute infectious diseases in adults hospitalized with suspected or confirmed infections. This study aims to collect data and biospecimens from patients worldwide to characterize respiratory and non-respiratory infections, established infectious diseases, and emerging infectious diseases. The information gathered will help identify risk factors, clinical features, and management strategies, and guide future clinical trials. Participants in this study are adults admitted to a hospital with an acute infection or suspected infection. There is no intervention or treatment given as part of the study since it is observational. The study focuses on collecting clinical data and biospecimens during hospitalization to better understand the disease processes and outcomes. During the study, participants will be monitored for clinical outcomes such as mortality at 28 days, time to recovery, clinical improvement, organ support requirements, and organ failure scores. Data collection includes clinical assessments and biospecimen sampling. The study will continue until June 2027, with participants followed for outcomes mainly up to 28 days after enrollment. This observational approach supports the development of future clinical trials by providing detailed insights into acute infections.

This research aims to understand the burden, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of meningitis in northern Uganda. The study will collect detailed information to identify gaps in care and support routine vaccination for bacterial meningitis and improved screening guidelines for cryptococcal meningitis among HIV-positive patients. The University of Rochester sponsors this effort to improve meningitis care and outcomes in this region. Participants include 1100 patients admitted with meningitis symptoms at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and 10,000 HIV-positive patients screened for cryptococcal antigenemia. Modern diagnostic tests such as cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay, Pastorex antigen agglutination assay, and Biofire PCR will be used to detect infectious agents and evaluate meningitis causes and risks. During the study, participants will undergo clinical assessments and diagnostic testing. Researchers will monitor deaths during hospitalization and up to 24 months after admission, as well as track cryptococcal antigen-positive cases and development of overt cryptococcal meningitis. The study will assess outcomes over two years, aiming to improve meningitis prevention strategies and care in Uganda.

Researchers are evaluating whether taking azithromycin as a preventive treatment can reduce the risk of death in adults with advanced HIV disease. This is a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving multiple centers. The study aims to understand if azithromycin prophylaxis can lower mortality compared to a placebo in this vulnerable population. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either an oral azithromycin tablet or a matching placebo tablet once daily for 28 days. After this treatment period, they will be followed for 24 weeks to measure the main outcome of all-cause mortality. The total study participation will last 48 weeks to monitor both short-term and longer-term effects. During the study, participants will undergo assessments to track survival and hospitalizations at 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatment. Researchers will closely monitor health outcomes and any hospital stays to evaluate the impact of azithromycin prophylaxis. Safety and adherence will be followed throughout the trial to ensure accurate measurement of results.