Ongoing Research and Public Health Surveillance Projects
Guided by excellence, integrity and compassion, in alignment with the University Hospital’s mission, the IDCTU's focus on infectious diseases projects and studies aim to enhance the health and resilience of the community. We embrace diversity and utilize teamwork to research our wide range of interests from vaccine development and antibiotic resistance/treatment to novel infection prevention strategies and other recently emerging infectious disease topics.
Our researchers are actively involved in national public health surveillance networks, enrolling symptomatic patients in participating clinics to collect samples and assess the real-world effectiveness of existing vaccines against current seasonal strains of influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2. The IDCTU also conducts observational studies that track antibody responses in individuals after they have tested positive for common respiratory viruses over several months. The goal is to gain insight into how the immune system responds and how long immunity might last after infection.
Our research helps scientists gain crucial insights into circulating viral strains, immune responses, and the efficacy of current public health measures and vaccines.
Current Projects & Studies
- Public Health Surveillance Project: CORVET Comp A
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The Cleveland Outpatient Research Vaccine Effectiveness Testing Site (CORVETS) is one of the seven public health surveillance arms for the national Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (US-FluVE). IDCTU members assigned to the CORVETS team enroll individuals who come into participating outpatient clinics with respiratory symptoms. Blood, saliva, nasal, and throat swabs are acquired to help acquiesce with the CDC’s overarching goal of assessing vaccine effectiveness for three major season respiratory viruses (ex. Influenza A and B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2), as well as gain insight into the most prevalent strains of that season.
The UH IDCTU team contributes to the CDC’s U.S. Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network.
Questions? Please contact us the IDCTU CORVETS team.
- Research Study: FAWN - Influenza antibody waning after natural infection
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Individuals who test positive for Flu or RSV in CORVETS-Comp A can be enrolled in the Influenza Antibody Waning After Natural Infection (FAWN) research study. The FAWN research study looks at the immune responses of individuals who tested positive for flu and respiratory syncytial virus over 180 days to observe the antibodies post-infection.
- Understanding How the 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Works in a Real-world Setting
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IDCTU researchers are conducting a study that aims to determine the effectiveness of the pneumococcal vaccine (20vPnC) against community-acquired pneumonia. More information about this study can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- SHIONOGI: Anti-viral for RSV
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This inpatient research study is done to address the need for anti-viral therapeutics for those at risk for severe RSV infection. Tests the safety, efficacy, and the way that the body handles a new anti-viral drug (S-337395) for those who are at high risk of severe RSV infections.
- Blood Culture (B-Rapid)
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This inpatient research study evaluates the performance of the investigational diagnostic device compared to the standard of care (what is considered normal treatment) and how well it works for patients presenting with suspected bloodstream infection (BSI). In an effort to improve clinical decision-making, this work addresses the need for faster and more accurate blood testing for patients with BSI.