Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) represents a major health care problem and mortality and morbidity associated with severe pneumonia remain considerable, despite state of the art care.

While the role of altered DNA methylation in cancer has been widely studied, knowledge of its impact on antibacterial defense is highly limited. In addition, recent preclinical studies showed that the gut and respiratory microbiota contributes to host defense against bacterial pneumonia.

This study aims to explore a completely novel research area linking the extent of DNA methylation in blood leukocyte (monocytes and neutrophils) and function of gut and respiratory microbiota on the influence of innate immune responses to and host defense against CAP

Rationale:

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) represents a major health care problem and mortality and morbidity associated with severe pneumonia remain considerable, despite state of the art care.

While the role of altered DNA methylation in cancer has been widely studied, knowledge of its impact on antibacterial defense is highly limited. In addition, recent preclinical studies showed that the gut and respiratory microbiota contributes to host defense against bacterial pneumonia.

This study aims to explore a completely novel research area linking the extent of DNA methylation in blood leukocyte (monocytes and neutrophils) and function of gut and respiratory microbiota on the influence of innate immune responses to and host defense against CAP.

Primary Objectives:

1. To obtain insight in the role of altered DNA methylation in blood leukocytes (monocytes and neutrophils) in innate immune responses and host defense in patients with CAP.
2. To determine the composition and function of the gut and respiratory microbiota in patients with CAP.

Secondary Objective:

1. To assess the influence of the gut microbiota on leukocyte DNA methylation in patients with CAP

Study design:

Observational study among patients with CAP at the Emergency Department and Internal Medicine Ward of the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam

Study population:

231 CAP patients and 115 healthy subjects above 18 years of age.

Methods:

From above mentioned patients and healthy volunteers, a maximum of 90 ml of blood will be drawn to analyze DNA methylation patterns of purified monocytes and neutrophils, which will be analyzed in connection with DNA methyltransferase and ten eleven translocation (TET) activity, RNA gene expression and a selection of standard innate immune function tests. Moreover, isolated monocytes and neutrophils from admission samples will be stimulated in vitro with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, rectal and nasopharyngeal swabs will be obtained to investigate the role of the gut and respiratory microbiota composition and function. Patient material will be obtained upon inclusion and on day 28, when patients will be seen in the outpatient clinic for follow up.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness:

Participating in this observational study will not benefit the participants and healthy volunteers. The study will provide information about the influence of leukocyte DNA methylation as well as the gut and respiratory microbiota on host defense mechanisms during CAP. The knowledge obtained can potentially benefit CAP patients in the future by providing alternative immune modulating treatment options that modify the host response. The burden and risks for patients participating in the ELDER-BIOME study is minimal. The investigators will take 90ml of blood, 4 rectal swabs and 2 nasopharyngeal swabs divided over two time-points (day of presentation and day 28 post presentation). Healthy volunteers will be subjected to one blood draw (70 ml) and 2 rectal - and 2 nasopharyngeal swabs at one time-point.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical suspicion of a new episode of acute respiratory tract infection
• Primary reason for presentation is clinical suspicion of a new episode of acute respiratory infection; admission to the hospital is NOT a requirement
• Evident new or progressive infiltrate, consolidation, cavitation, or pleural effusion on the chest X ray or CT scan made for diagnostic (non-research) purposes
• Onset of the following symptoms within the last 7 days:
• At least one respiratory symptom (cough, sore throat, runny or congested nose, dyspnea)
• At least one systemic symptom (fever, headache, muscle ache, sweats or chills or tiredness).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient lacks capacity to provide informed consent
• No informed consent is provided by patient
• Patient has been transferred from another hospital
• Patient is enrolled in an interventional clinical study of an anti-infective or immunomodulatory therapy
• Patient has received any type of oral or systemic antibiotics for more than 48 hours prior to hospital presentation.

Adults presenting at the Academic Medical Center with a suspected new episode of community acquired pneumonia will be screened for eligibility for the ELDER-BIOME study according to the following scheme: