Respiratory infections

Respiratory infections are infections that affect people’s breathing. They are the biggest cause infectious disease deaths worldwide. A quarter of the world’s population is estimated to have latent tuberculosis (TB).

Latent TB is a TB infection without symptoms. One in ten people with latent TB will develop active TB (TB with symptoms) in their lifetime. People who are older or who have illnesses such as HIV or diabetes are at higher risk of developing active TB.

To address this global public health problem, we have expanded our range of TB trials to cover the full spectrum of disease. We have new studies of • Diagnostics (tools for diagnosing TB) • TB preventative therapy • Shorter and simpler treatments for different types of TB in adults and children.

Respiratory infections caused by bacteria are extremely common. They are increasing in high-income countries. They are a major driver of antibiotic use and thus antimicrobial (drug) resistance. We need better evidence to inform prescribing guidelines. To help with this, we have a number of trials aiming to work out the best dose and duration of antibiotics for children and adults with bacterial respiratory infections.

In response to the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, we have developed a number of treatment trials. These trials use our expanded global influenza network. The trials cover the patients severely ill in intensive care, hospitalised patients with mild-moderate infection and in those with early disease at risk of progression. Embedded substudies are exploring the timing and number of doses of SARS-Cov-2 vaccine needed in those who have been hospitalised with COVID-19.