Within the framework of the nationwide-based CAPNETZ study, data from CAP patients are recorded, collected and evaluated for various research projects. Besides the data gained for the scientists’ research, participation in the study has further advantages: on the one hand, the participating patients receive the necessary treatment free of charge and profit from rapid diagnostics and therapy. On the other hand, participation allows the doctors direct access to the latest research results and therapeutic recommendations. It is worth mentioning here the S3 guidelines on community-acquired pneumonia published in 2005 and revised in 2009. Included in these guidelines is considerable knowledge gained from the epidemiological research carried out by CAPNETZ.

Within the structure of CAPNETZ, in the central project Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, clinical studies are carried out dealing with many different questions on etiology, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of the acquired pneumonia. These studies can be of an exploratory or confirmatory nature, fundamentally oriented, relevant for registration purposes or with a focus on health services research. In addition, within the central unit Microbiology, a strain and sample bank has been established, comprising study material from the local clinical centers and clinical isolates. All strains and samples are available to research projects upon request.

In Germany, sixteen local clinical centers are linked in the Competence Network, with a further three sites in Austria, Switzerland and Denmark. In these centers, patients are recruited and research projects carried out. Registered doctors are also involved and support the patient recruitment for the CAPNETZ study.

The local clinical center in Hannover recruits CAP patients via the central admissions of three hospitals and about 60 registered doctors. At the MHH, the Department of Respiratory Medicine cooperates closely with the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology.

The CAPNETZ office and the participating biobank are located at the Hannover site.

Managing Director:
Grit Barten