The Gut Microbiome - Source of Sepsis and Novel Target in Intensive Care Units? Research on Human Tissue, Body Fluids, Neuropsychological Assessment and Brain Imaging
Here, the investigators propose to study host responses to reduced microbiome complexity driven by treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics in patients with severe infections or sepsis. The proposal aims to combine holistic approaches with emerging experimental technologies to investigate the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and its host and assess the impact of specific bacterial communities on longevity and stress responses. A strong focus of this study will also be placed on microbiome dysbiosis and secondary impacts on short- and long-term brain dysfunction using clinical, laboratory and imaging procedures.
• Age ≥ 18 years
• One of the following criteria
‣ Critically ill patients treated with meropenem or piperacillin/tazobactam started within the last 72 h
⁃ Critically ill patients without systemic antimicrobial therapy within the last 72 hours and an expected ICU length of stay of more than 3 days
⁃ Long-term survivors of sepsis, e.g. from pre-existing sepsis cohorts