The goal of this observational study is to understand immune responses to viral airwayinfection in adults, including the elderly. The main question(s) to answer is/are:Why do some individuals acquire only asymptomatic or mild Influenza A virus (IAV)infection while others become severely ill and even succumb to the same disease?Participants will be asked to donate samples when seeking health care for influenza-likesymptoms or if hospitalized for IAV or SARS-CoV-2. Samples asked for are: - Blood sample by venepuncture - Blood sample by capillary sampling - Nasopharyngeal aspirate - Nasopharyngeal swab - Endotracheal tube aspirate - Nasal swab - Nasal curette - Breath Explor (sampling of expired air)Researchers will compare obtained results with the same type of samples from healthycontrols.
This observational study will specifically investigate different immunological parameters
in blood and at the site of infection in patients with IAV symptoms or confirmed
infection to understand parameters related to disease course. Blood and airway samples
will be analyzed for immune cell subsets and their functionality, antibodies and other
soluble mediators and linked to clinical data. Immune cells will be analyzed using
multi-color flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and in vitro functionality assays. Fluids
(plasma, serum, supernatants from airway samples and cell culture supernatants) will be
analyzed using ELISA (and or similar methods), proximity extension assay (Olink), etc.
Inclusion Criteria Patients:
- Influenza A like symptoms and/or
- Confirmed airway infection
Exclusion Criteria Patients:
- Current malignancies
- Immunosuppressive treatment, not including/except hydrocortisone
Exclusion Criteria Controls:
- Airway infection within the past four weeks
- Ongoing antibiotic treatment
- Immunosuppressive treatment
Familjeläkarna
Stockholm, Sweden
Haga Närakut
Stockholm, Sweden
Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset
Stockholm, Sweden
Sabbatsbergs sjukhus
Stockholm, Sweden
Södertälje Sjukhus
Södertälje, Sweden
Anna Smed Sörensen, PhD, Principal Investigator
Karolinska Institutet