Actively Recruiting
Pathobiomes in Gut of Critically Ill Patients
Led by University of Chicago · Updated on 2026-02-02
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Chicago
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Pathobiomes in Gut of Critically Ill Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Any ethnicity
- Age greater than 18 years and less than 85 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Known history of HIV/AIDS
- Active pregnancy
- Currently incarcerated
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 3 years
Participants provide stool samples for laboratory analysis of P. aeruginosa virulence and prevalence.
Periodic sample collections during ICU stay
Duration - Up to 3 years
Participants are monitored through laboratory assays to assess virulence induction and genetic analysis of P. aeruginosa from stool samples.
No direct visits required from participants during this phase
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The University of Chicago
Hyde Park, Illinois, United States, 60637
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
John Alverdy, MD FACS FSIS
L
Leila Yazdanbakhsh, MSCI
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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