Comprehensive Molecular Diagnosis and Management of Hospital- and Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Norway

Lower respiratory tract infections include hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator- associated pneumonia (VAP) with a very high mortality in critically ill patients. Diagnosis is difficult with an inherent uncertainty and complicated by comorbidity, lack of routines for high-quality airway sampling and low sensitivity of routine microbiological tests. There is limited data on the aetiology and burden from HAP and VAP, and to the investigators knowledge, no previous prospective HAP and VAP studies has been performed in Norway. In the absence of rapid and accurate microbiological diagnosis, seriously ill HAP and VAP patients are often provided broad-spectrum antibiotics that have to be active on putative multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, as failure to initiate prompt adequate therapy is associated with increased mortality. Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics promotes the selection and dissemination of MDR bacteria.

HVAPNOR brings together a multidisciplinary research team from Norwegian (Haukeland University Hospital (HUS), University of Bergen (UoB), Vestre Viken Hospital Trust (VVHF), and international institutions (Denmark, Netherlands and United Kingdom), with a strong record in respiratory disease research.

The overall aims of the HVAPNOR study are to improve diagnostic methods, antibiotic stewardship, treatment and management of HAP and VAP. The investigators will in a Norwegian context, map the incidence and the aetiology of HAP/VAP infections. During a two-year period, adult HAP and VAP patients admitted at HUS and VVHF, will be identified and voluntarily included in a prospective descriptive study. The project will strengthen the routines for adequate airway sampling and assess if provision of ultra-rapid, high-quality accurate molecular diagnostics will provide a more comprehensive microbiological etiological diagnose than routine analysis. A direct feedback to the clinician can facilitate pathogen-directed usage of antibiotics. We will evaluate the potential of molecular diagnostic platforms for the detection of pathogens and antimicrobial markers in HAP and VAP. Furthermore, the investigators will identify barriers that inhibit the acceptance of rapid molecular tests; and contribute to the optimisation of treatment protocols for HAP and VAP.

Finally, the study will also evaluate and identify new and clinically relevant diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, including immune biomarkers and transcriptional profiling, in HAP and VAP.

The HVAPNOR study is in line with the objectives of the funding agencies, addresses clinical research activities to help to ensure that patients receive high-quality and reliable diagnostics and optimized treatment.