The ESPR Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) Section

Welcome to the Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) Section of the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR)

The I4 section promotes research on neonatal infection, inflammation, immunology and immunisation and its translation into patient care. This is achieved by exchange of ideas, discussions and collaborations among researchers and experts in the field, by organizing parallel sessions, workshops and courses during the annual ESPR conference (EAPS and JENS) as well as by setting up collaborative writing groups and generating new ideas for clinical trials. We welcome all neonatologists, pediatricians, researchers, and nurses interested in the topic to attend our meetings, and contribute to the activities and future development of the section.

• Our objectives

  The objectives of the section on Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) are to:
  • Bring together researchers and clinicians interested in the field;
  • Serve as an international platform for collaborative research and education;
  • Provide best evidence and consensus on topics of importance;
  • Collaborate with other groups within ESPR, other societies and partners in and outside Europe;
  • Integrate of junior clinicians and scientists, and foster the next generation of researchers.
• Meet the Section Council

  Eric Giannoni Neonatologist, MD Section chair since 2022 Associate Professor Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland	Christoph Härtel Neonatologist, MD PhD Council member since 2023 Chair, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany	Eleanor Molloy Neonatologist, MD PhD Council member since 2018 Chair & Professor of Paediatrics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland	Carlo Pietrasanta Neonatologist, MD PhD Council member since 2024 Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy NICU, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
  Kirsten Glaser Neonatologist, MD Council member since 2023 University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany	Claus Klingenberg Pediatrician, MD PhD Council member since 2023 Paediatric Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway/ Department of Paediatrics and Adolescence Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway	Mads Andersen Integrated PhD-student Junior council member since 2023 Department of Pediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
• Current & future projects of the section

  We are writing systematic reviews on neonatal infection and sepsis, focusing on organ dysfunction, core outcomes and diagnostic tools.

  The NESCOS (Neonatal Sepsis Core Outcomes Set) led by Prof Declan Devane (Galway University, Ireland) aims at identifying the most important outcomes in trials looking at treatments for neonatal sepsis. The international expert steering committee has been established and a Delphi process is underway.

  The section is developing a new training module, within the Neonatal Online Training & Education (NOTE) Programme.
• Upcoming meetings of the section

  Online meetings take place every 3 months. Working groups may meet more frequently as needed.

  The next section meeting will take place at the upcoming jENS congress in Belgrade, Serbia, in October 2025 (date & time tba).
• Publications

  Publications on behalf of the I4 section

  • Protocol for the development of a core outcome set for neonatal sepsis (NESCOS).
    Taneri PE, Kirkham JJ, Molloy EJ, Biesty L, Polin RA, Wynn JL, Stoll BJ, Kissoon N, Kawaza K, Daly M, Branagan A, Bonnard LN, Giannoni E, Strunk T, Ohaja M, Mugabe K, Suguitani D, Quirke F, Devane D.PLoS One. 2023 Dec 5;18(12):e0295325. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295325. eCollection 2023.PMID: 38051733 Free PMC article.
  • Neonatal sepsis and cardiovascular dysfunction I: mechanisms and pathophysiology. Duignan SM, Lakshminrusimha S, Armstrong K, de Boode WP, El-Khuffash A, Franklin O, Molloy EJ; Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) section of the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR).Pediatr Res. 2023 Dec 4. doi: 10.1038/s41390-023-02926-2. Online ahead of print.PMID: 38044334 Review.
  • Neonatal sepsis: a systematic review of core outcomes from randomised clinical trials. Henry CJ, Semova G, Barnes E, Cotter I, Devers T, Rafaee A, Slavescu A, Cathain NO, McCollum D, Roche E, Mockler D, Allen J, Meehan J, Klingenberg C, Latour JM, van den Hoogen A, Strunk T, Giannoni E, Schlapbach LJ, Degtyareva M, Plötz FB, de Boode WP, Naver L, Wynn JL, Küster H, Janota J, Keij FM, Reiss IKM, Bliss JM, Polin R, Koenig JM, Turner MA, Gale C, Molloy EJ; Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) section of the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR). Pediatric Research. 2022
  • Ryan L, van den Hoogen A, Latour J, Plotz F, Degtyareva M, Keuning M, Klingenberg K, Giannoni E, Reiss E, Roehr C, Gale C, Molloy E. "Neonates and COVID-19 Review: State of the Art." Pediatric Research. 2022
  • Hayes R, Hartnett J, Semova G, Murray C, Murphy K, Carroll L, Plapp H, Hession L, O'Toole J, McCollum D, Roche E, Jenkins E, Mockler D, Hurley T, McGovern M, Allen J, Meehan J, Plötz FB, Strunk T, de Boode WP, Polin R, Wynn JL, Degtyareva M, Küster H, Janota J, Giannoni E, Schlapbach LJ, Keij FM, Reiss IKM, Bliss J, Koenig JM, Turner MA, Gale C, Molloy EJ; Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) section of the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR). "Neonatal sepsis definitions from randomised clinical trials." Pediatric Research. 2021
  • Molloy EJ, Wynn JL, Bliss J, Koenig JM, Keij FM, McGovern M, Kuester H, Turner MA, Giannoni E, Mazela J, Degtyaeva M, Strunk T, Simons S, Janota J, Plotz FB, van den Hoogen A, de Boode W, Schlapbach LJ, Reiss I. "Neonatal sepsis: Need for consensus definition, collaboration and core outcomes." Pediatric Research. 2020
  • McGovern M, Giannoni E, Kuester H, Turner MA, van den Hoogen A, Bliss JM, Koenig JM, Keij FM, Mazela J, Finnegan R, Degtyareva M, Simons SHP, de Boode WP, Strunk T, Reiss IKM, Wynn JL, Molloy EJ; Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) section of the ESPR. "Challenges in developing a consensus definition of neonatal sepsis." Pediatric Research. 2020

   

  Publications based on collaborative research including I4 section members

  • Outcomes of interventions in neonatal sepsis: A systematic review of qualitative research.
    Taneri PE, Devane D, Kirkham J, Molloy E, Daly M, Branagan A, Suguitani D, Wynn JL, Kissoon N, Kawaza K, Simons SHP, Bonnard LN, Giannoni E, Strunk T, Ohaja M, Mugabe K, Quirke F, Bazilio K, Biesty L. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2024
  • Antibiotic exposure for culture-negative early-onset sepsis in late-preterm and term newborns: an international study.
    Dimopoulou V, Klingenberg C, Navér L, Nordberg V, Berardi A, El Helou S, Fusch G, Bliss JM, Lehnick D, Guerina N, Seliga-Siwecka J, Maton P, Lagae D, Mari J, Janota J, Agyeman PKA, Pfister R, Latorre G, Maffei G, Laforgia N, Mózes E, Størdal K, Strunk T, Stocker M, Giannoni E; AENEAS Study Group. Pediatr Res. 2024
  • Neonatal Sepsis Episodes and Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very Preterm Infants.
    Glaser K, Härtel C, Klingenberg C, Herting E, Fortmann MI, Speer CP, Stensvold HJ, Huncikova Z, Rønnestad AE, Nentwich MM, Stahl A, Dammann O, Göpel W; German Neonatal Network, the Norwegian Neonatal Network Investigators, and the Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation section of the European Society for Paediatric Research. JAMA Netw Open. 2024
  • Stocker M, Klingenberg C, Navér L, Nordberg V, Berardi A, El Helou S, Fusch G, Bliss JM, Lehnick D, Dimopoulou V, Guerina N, Seliga-Siwecka J, Maton P, Lagae D, Mari J, Janota J, Agyeman PKA, Pfister R, Latorre G, Maffei G, Laforgia N, Mózes E, Størdal K, Strunk T, Giannoni E. "Less is more: Antibiotics at the beginning of life." Nature Communications, 2023.
  • Giannoni E, Dimopoulou V, Klingenberg C, Navér L, Nordberg V, Berardi A, el Helou S, Fusch G, Bliss J, Lehnick D, Guerina N, Seliga-Siwecka J, Maton P, Lagae D, Mari J, Janota J, Agyeman P, Pfister R, Latorre G, Maffei G, Laforgia N, Mózes E, Størdal K, Strunk T, Stocker M, for the AENEAS study group. Analysis of Antibiotic Exposure and Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Europe, North America and Australia. JAMA Network Open. 2022
• How to engage with us

  Please contact the ESPR Secretariat via office@espr.eu. We will be more than happy to forward your request to the members of the Infection, Inflammation, Immunology and Immunisation (I4) Section.