Infections in non-HIV immunosuppressed patients and healthcare-associated infections

General Objective

The objective of the program is the investigation of epidemiological, pathogenic, clinical, preventive and therapeutic aspects of infectious complications in the immunocompromised (non-HIV) host. The program promotes the extension of this research to horizons beyond the classic concept of the immunocompromised host, favoring the study of the bases of the immune response that regulates infection and incorporating new biological therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases. The program also investigates healthcare-associated infections not included in other CIBERINFEC programs, with the incorporation of knowledge acquired in the immunocompromised patient into the treatment of these infections, as well as medical implant infections and osteoarticular infections.

Specific objectives: lines of research

Epidemiological studies to analyze the incidence and risk factors of opportunistic or community infection in immunocompromised patients.

Clinical trials with new antimicrobials for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms in neutropenic cancer patients and transplant recipients.

Evaluation of immunological and genetic variables that influence infection in the immunocompromised patient and in patients with other healthcare-associated infections, including omics research.

Analysis of the role of the innate and adaptive immune response in the infection of the immunocompromised patient and in some community-related infections.

Study of the deleterious effect of iatrogenic immunosuppression, including new biological therapies, CAR-T, checkpoint inhibitors, on the risk of infection.

Analysis of markers that allow us to grade the degree of immunosuppression in the immunocompromised patient.

Immunotherapy in infectious diseases.

New diagnostic methods, biomarkers and treatment strategies for invasive fungal infections.

Trials aimed at reducing the impact of viral infection (especially, but not only, CMV) by immunoguided prophylaxis.

Analyze new diagnostic, preventive and treatment approaches to tuberculosis.

To evaluate the role of community respiratory viruses and to analyze the immune basis of infection and the vaccine response to it in pediatric and adult patients.

Development of new diagnostic methods, evaluation of drug resistance and monitoring of the response to treatment in visceral leishmaniasis.