Cascade Open Call RN4: SIS-NET

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi, alongside the emergence and re-emergence of viruses and other highly contagious diseases, pose significant challenges in clinical and organizational settings. The necessity for multi-center networks has become evident, enabling precise epidemiological surveillance and interdisciplinary research initiatives to deliver swift and effective responses. This project seeks to address the absence of a network capable of identifying markers and monitoring severe infections and sepsis caused by community and hospital-acquired pathogens in individuals across all age groups, including those in intensive care units.

The primary goal is to establish a national network that facilitates resource-sharing and data exchange for the identification and monitoring of severe infections and sepsis from both community and hospital-acquired pathogens, aligning with the objectives of the INF-ACT research program. The project will encompass five work packages, focusing on establishing a national network comprising adult and neonatal intensive care units, infectious disease and pediatric departments, microbiology laboratories, and designing multi-center registries for descriptive observational and diagnostic-prognostic evaluations.

Furthermore, the project will involve analyzing collected data to generate regular clinical reports, exploring associations between clinical diagnostic markers, immunological indicators, disease severity, and outcomes. This will lead to the development of tailored therapy protocols based on clinical profiles. Ultimately, the project aims to drive scientific progress, enhance the country's scientific reputation from a multidisciplinary perspective, and foster collaboration among participating institutions to ensure the successful implementation of the outlined objectives