ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol for severe emerging infections UK: ISARIC WHO CCP-UK

Infectious disease is the single biggest cause of death worldwide. New infectious agents require investigation to understand its characteristics and how infection with this pathogen results in a disease process. We need to understand risk factors for severe illness and how to best treat disease caused by this pathogen. In order to develop a mechanistic understanding of disease processes, such that risk factors for severe illness can be identified and treatments can be developed, it is necessary to understand pathogen characteristics associated with virulence, the replication dynamics and in-host evolution of the pathogen, the dynamics of the host response, the pharmacology of antimicrobial or host-directed therapies, the transmission dynamics, and factors underlying individual susceptibility. This study is designed for the rapid, coordinated clinical investigation of patients with confirmed infection with a pathogen of public interest. The study has been designed to maximize the likelihood that as much data as possible is collected and shared rapidly in a format that can be easily aggregated, tabulated and analysed across many different settings globally. The study is designed to have some level of flexibility in order to ensure the broadest acceptance.