Project: Management of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa, a Pragmatic Approach

Acronym	LoRTISA (Reference Number: TMA2018SF-2465)
Duration	01/01/2020 - 31/12/2024
Project Topic	Lower Respiratory Illnesses are a leading cause of mortality globally and the treatment given is usually empirical based on epidemiological data and known or perceived antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. In this grant, we propose to address several objectives under three main themes: Aim 1: Research on the epidemiology and predictors of clinical outcomes in community acquired pneumonia in a high HIV burden setting. Traditional diagnostics accurately diagnose only a small proportion of patients with suspected community acquired pneumonia (CAP) thus there is a need to investigate the role of more novel diagnostics in the detection of causative pathogens. In addition, severity-of-illness scores have been used in other settings to triage patients to different levels of care but the need for laboratory-based diagnostics tests make this approach difficult in low income settings. Moreover, several of the suggested prognostic scores have not been validated in settings with a high HIV burden. Finally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increases the cost of health care and compromises clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with pneumonia. A better understanding of the burden and patterns of AMR would help in designing appropriate treatment algorithms for CAP.We propose to establish a well characterized cohort of patients hospitalized with CAP and will perform both conventional and molecular diagnostics to diagnose CAP. We will investigate the added value of using bronchoalveolar lavage samples for the diagnosis of causative pathogens of CAP in selected patients. Aim 2: Capacity Building: Research supervision for Masters and PhD on research related to CAP. We will mentor and support one Masters and one PhD student in research projects related to LRTIs and will encourage capacity building in clinical, microbiological, immunological and molecular diagnostic techniques for the diagnosis of CAP. Aim 3: Professional Development of Fellow: Advanced Statistics Skills and Academic Leadership/ Research Management skills. This will be under the mentorship of senior researchers with expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics (Prof. Peter Smith, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK); infectious diseases (Prof. Robert Colebunders, University of Antwerp, Belgium; and a world expert on community acquired-pneumonia Prof. Charles Feldman, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) Overall this grant will contribute to a better understanding of common causes of lower respiratory illnesses and appropriate locally tailored approaches to treatment. It will also build capacity to mentor junior researchers in respiratory illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa.
Network	EDCTP2
Call	Senior Fellowships 2018

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Infectious Diseases Institute Limited	Coordinator	Uganda