Study of Intestinal Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Critically Ill Adults at University of Chicago

What this Trial Is About

This research focuses on critically ill surgical patients who are at high risk of having their intestinal tracts colonized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium linked to a fourfold increase in mortality. Many patients who survive initial trauma may still face severe infections and organ failure due to gut-derived sepsis, caused by damage to the intestinal lining and changes in gut defense mechanisms. The study aims to understand how the intestinal environment influences the virulence of P. aeruginosa and its role in patient outcomes. The study involves collecting stool samples from critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units. These samples will be tested in laboratory experiments using in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate their ability to activate virulence in laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa. Researchers will also isolate and study the strains of P. aeruginosa present in patients intestines to determine how common this bacterium is in this population. Participants will provide stool samples during their stay in the burn, surgical, or medical intensive care units. The samples will undergo various laboratory tests, including pyocyanin screening assays and a C. elegans lethality model, to assess virulence-inducing properties. Additionally, PCR array analysis will be used to identify specific virulence genes activated by the stool filtrates. The study will continue for about three years, monitoring these outcomes to better understand the interaction between host factors and bacterial virulence.

Pathobiomes in Gut of Critically Ill Patients