Scientists probe immune cells in pneumonia to unlock ARDS secrets

NCT ID NCT03379207

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University Hospital, Tours Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at how certain immune cells, called non-conventional T cells, behave in patients with severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Researchers collected blood and airway samples from 258 intensive care unit patients to track these cells over time. The goal was to better understand the immune response that can lead to worsening illness, which may help improve future treatments.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors better understand why some pneumonia cases turn severe, potentially pointing to new ways to predict or treat complications like ARDS.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study that was terminated early, so results may be limited. It does not test a treatment, so direct patient benefits are not guaranteed.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

258 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jan 2018

Finished

Jun 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Participants admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Tours or University Hospital of Limoges (France) with an initial diagnosis of Community Acquired Pneumonia, or participants admitted without diagnosis of pneumonia or shock and for whom invasive mechanical ventilation is required.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion criteria: "Pneumonia" group: * Admission to the Intensive Care Units or Pneumonia service of Tours University Hospital or Intensive Care Unit or Limoges University Hospital * Initial diagnosis of acute community-acquired pneumonia suggested by the presence of a cough, dirty sputum, chest pain and / or dyspnea (at least two criteria required), associated with the presence of a radiological or CT infiltrate initially * Patient for whom it is not envisaged, a priori, to limit treatment within 5 days following inclusion, for ethical reasons, due to age and advanced comorbidities, and / or a level of severity beyond all therapeutic possibilities. * Diagnosis of pneumonia done within 48 hours after admission to the hospital * Participant admitted to the hospital for less than 8 days "Control" group: * Admission to the Intensive Care Units of the University Hospital of Tours or Limoges University Hospital * Use of invasive mechanical ventilation for less than 48 hours * Predictable duration of invasive mechanical ventilation\> 48h * Participant admitted to the hospital for less than 8 days * Absence of pneumonia criteria (according to the criteria defined for the "Pneumonia" participant group) * Absence shock (defined by the need for vasopressor despite volume expansion ≥30mL/kg, associated with a blood lactate level ≥ 2mmol / L * Patient for whom it is not envisaged, a priori, to limit treatment within 5 days following inclusion, for ethical reasons, due to age and advanced comorbidities, and / or a level of severity beyond all therapeutic possibilities. Exclusion Criteria: * Participant under protection * Pregnant or lactating women

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute respiratory distress syndrome adult acute respiratory distress syndrome Community-Acquired Pneumonia pneumonia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome Community-acquired pneumonia Innate immunity

Scientists probe immune cells in pneumonia to unlock ARDS secrets

What the study statuses mean