Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

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Infectious disease

Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are investigating promising new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of infectious diseases. Our work spans the full spectrum of research from basic science to clinical research to implementation.

Research News

	First patient in Canada treated with phage therapy for artificial joint infection March 14, 2024 - A research team lead by Dr. Marisa Azad at The Ottawa Hospital has treated the first patient in Canada with bacteriophage (phage) therapy for a chronic artificial joint infection.
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital improve treatment for inflammatory and immune conditions February 21, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding four ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers understand the role of inflammation and the immune system in various diseases and develop better treatments.
	Wastewater monitoring: research aims to enhance TB prevention and detection in Nunavut January 16, 2024 - A groundbreaking research study is being launched in Iqaluit to explore wastewater monitoring as a tool to detect and prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in Nunavut.
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	Powering up the body’s EVs November 9, 2023 - Dr. Alvin Tieu is receiving the Worton Researcher in Training Award from The Ottawa Hospital for his multidisciplinary research on life-threatening lung diseases
	Beyond the spike: novel COVID vaccine candidate targets 7 viral proteins for strong immune response November 2, 2023 - Despite the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in many countries, SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread and make people sick and new variants remain a significant threat. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa believe the
	Obstructive sleep apnea linked with severe COVID-19 May 19, 2023 - A study led by Dr. Tetyana Kendzerska suggests that people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and having severe complications.
	Novel stem cell drives ‘remarkable’ regeneration of tiny blood vessels in the lung May 15, 2023 - Dr. Duncan Stewart’s team has identified a novel stem cell with a remarkable ability to regenerate and repair the tiny blood vessels in the lungs.
	COVID-19 vaccines may help reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics May 3, 2023 - Antibiotics were commonly prescribed to older outpatients with COVID-19 in Ontario during the first two years of the pandemic, even though antibiotics do not work against the virus.
	New Scientist Profile: Dr. Giorgia Sulis fights antibiotic resistance through research and education April 18, 2023 - Infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Giorgia Sulis knows that antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest health threats of our time. Because antibiotics are overused world-wide, bacteria that cause conditions like pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poi
	Moving the needle forward on sepsis research with a world-first clinical trial March 16, 2023 - The search for the silver bullet for sepsis has been decades in the making. However, The Ottawa Hospital is taking a big step forward in the next phase of a world-first clinical trial using stem cells in patients with septic shock.
	Meet Dr. Manoj Lalu, the clinician-scientist bringing lab discoveries to patients every day March 16, 2023 - From looking at how we can use stem cells to treat diseases like sepsis to dealing with patients directly in the ICU and OR, Dr. Lalu is making an impact behind the scenes and beyond.
	Meet Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre — sepsis researcher and clinician extraordinaire March 16, 2023 - Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre’s path to The Ottawa Hospital wasn’t necessarily a direct one — it took her all over Ontario and out west to the mountains — but she couldn’t do her groundbreaking sepsis research anywhere else, or with any other team.
	The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa, and McMaster University join forces to prepare Canada for future pandemics March 2, 2023 - Building on the knowledge gained over nearly three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), the University of Ottawa and McMaster University are joining forces with partners to create the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub (CP2H).
	“Every day is a struggle for me”: A new study is evaluating the effectiveness of a digital app in treating people suffering from long COVID February 28, 2023 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute are studying the effectiveness of a digital health platform in helping people recover from post COVID-19 condition, or long COVID.
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital develop better treatments and improve patient care February 1, 2023 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding five ELEVATE seed grants to early-career researchers to spur the development of innovative treatments and better patient care.
	Clinical trial will test promising cell therapy for septic shock January 19, 2023 - Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre was awarded $1.6 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Clinical Trials Fund to conduct a Phase II clinical trial of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with septic shock.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Marisa Azad aims to improve care for artificial joint infections January 18, 2023 - Infectious disease physician Dr. Marisa Azad sees patients whose artificial knees or hips have become infected nightmares. These periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) are rare but devastating, and often result in additional surgeries and repeat infec
	New scientist profile: Dr. Hesham Abdelbary’s translational research program tackles implant infections January 4, 2023 - As an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in complex cases, removing slimy layers of bacteria growing on prosthetic joints is one of Dr. Hesham Abdelbary’s toughest challenges. Unfortunately, these periprosthetic joint infections are not uncommon afte
	Intravenous vitamin C treatment does not help sepsis patients December 14, 2022 - A randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine has quashed the theory that intravenous vitamin C could prevent death and organ damage in patients with sepsis.
	Fireflies help researcher shine a light on COVID-19 November 2, 2022 - As a child watching fireflies in northern Iran, Dr. Taha Azad never dreamed he would someday use the secret behind their glow to help fight cancer and a global pandemic.
	New biomarker could help predict severity of COVID-19 infection October 28, 2022 - New research led by Dr. Benjamin Tsang and Taggart-Parkes postdoctoral fellow Dr. Meshach Asare-Werehene shows that a blood protein called plasma gelsolin (pGSN) could help predict which hospitalized COVID-19 patients are likely to become severely il
	Ottawa-area residents invited to participate in multivalent COVID-19 vaccine trial October 5, 2022 - Healthy adults are invited to participate in a clinical trial at The Ottawa Hospital to test a multivalent coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by VBI Vaccines Inc., a biotechnology company with Ottawa-based research and development facilities.
	Three COVID-19 vaccine doses significantly reduced infection, severe outcomes in organ transplant recipients September 14, 2022 - Dr. Greg Knoll led one of the few real-world studies of the effectiveness of a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine among organ transplant recipients by using linked healthcare databases.
	Anti-fungal drug shows promise against COVID-19 in lab studies August 18, 2022 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have discovered that a common anti-fungal drug can protect against COVID-19 in laboratory models. The drug, called bifonazole, blocks the interaction between the viral spike protein and its cell-surface receptor (AC
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 19 CIHR grants worth more than $12 million July 20, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, autism, Kabuki Syndrome, kidney disease, patient engagement, blood transfusions, sepsis, surgery, anesthesia, plasma donation, muscle
	Ottawa Hospital researchers awarded $1.85M from Stem Cell Network May 12, 2022 - Four research teams at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded a total of $1.85 million to harness stem cells and regenerative medicine to develop new therapies for septic shock, bone and joint conditions, and newborn lung damage, while also advancing
	Ottawa researchers contribute to three important studies shaping COVID-19 care April 28, 2022 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital continue to play a key role in influential COVID-19 research, with three studies recently published in top-tier journals.
	Meet HIV researcher Megan Magro April 25, 2022 - When she’s not doing artistic swimming, Megan Magro is in the lab working towards a cure for HIV.
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded five grants for high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research April 4, 2022 - The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) 2021 Exploration competition has awarded $25 million to support 102 research teams across Canada that bring diverse disciplines together in pursuit of breakthrough ideas and high-reward outcomes.
	Research sets new standard for treating latent tuberculosis in Canada March 24, 2022 - A transformational treatment for latent tuberculosis (TB) is now the standard of care in Canada, thanks to research led by The Ottawa Hospital. The Canadian Thoracic Society’s new Canadian TB Standards, released on March 24, 2022, recommend 3HP (rifa
	New CIHR grants to support an equitable pandemic recovery March 16, 2022 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded four grants as part of CIHR’s Emerging COVID-19 Research Gaps and Priorities competition, which was designed to support an equitable pandemic recovery for all Canadians.
	Canadian researchers awarded international prize for COVID-19 Evidence Network March 3, 2022 - Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw and Dr. John Lavis recently accepted the international REWARD prize from Cochrane on behalf of the COVID-19 Evidence Network (COVID-END) for their efforts to get reliable and timely COVID-19 evidence summaries to decision makers,
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 CIHR grants worth more than $11 million February 5, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as tuberculosis, blood disease, prostate cancer, heart disease, muscle repair, sleep apnea, brain cancer, medical imaging, virtual care, prehab, intellectual disability, sarcoma, CA
	Scientists call for "living evidence reviews" to combat COVID confusion December 15, 2021 - Policy missteps will continue to overshadow the global response to Covid because policymakers are overwhelmed with rapidly shifting research evidence, according to scientists writing in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.
	Made-in-Ottawa vaccine could help in global fight against COVID-19, including new variants December 13, 2021 - As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread around the world, a vaccine developed and manufactured at The Ottawa Hospital could provide a unique approach to help control the pandemic. Unlike the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved by the World Health
	Medicine’s future: living drugs November 19, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre harnessing the life-saving power of biological therapies
	Does Parkinson’s start in the nose? International team awarded US$9 million ASAP grant to find out October 26, 2021 - More than 80 percent of people with Parkinson’s disease suffer from a reduced sense of smell, something that often occurs years before the onset of typical movement-related symptoms. Now, thanks to a US$9 million grant from the Aligning Science Acros
	Help us advance Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine research in older adults. October 6, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital is participating in an RSV vaccine research trial and is looking for volunteers aged 60 years and older.
	COVID-19 booster shot study recruits Ottawa-area volunteers September 29, 2021 - Ottawa-area adults who are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine are invited to participate in a clinical trial of a locally developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate, as a third dose or late booster vaccine. To be eligible, participants must have
	Major study finds convalescent plasma doesn’t help seriously ill COVID-19 patients September 29, 2021 - A randomized controlled trial involving more than 900 patients has found that convalescent plasma does not reduce the risk of intubation or death for COVID-19 patients.
	Translational Research Grant could spark new approaches to diagnose, treat long COVID September 15, 2021 - Recent studies suggest that more than half of people with COVID-19 will continue to experience symptoms several weeks after infection.
	Biomanufacturing partnership boosts Canada’s life-saving treatment and vaccine capacity September 13, 2021 - As Canada seeks to rebuild its biomanufacturing sector and support made-in-Canada solutions to global health challenges, The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Alberta and BioCanRx have collaborated to create Canada’s first full-service, end-to-end b
	Outpatient clinic linked to 40% decrease in return ED visits for cellulitis September 8, 2021 - Cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection, accounts for 3% of all ED visits. Patients with severe cases that need intravenous (IV) antibiotics are normally admitted to hospital or must return to the ED several times to receive the multiple doses
	Full-dose blood thinners help moderately ill COVID-19 patients August 23, 2021 - Two Canadian-led studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that full-dose blood thinners help moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but not critically ill patients.
	Plasma exchange may help treat rare blood clots related to vaccines August 6, 2021 - Canadian researchers have published the first study of plasma exchange as a possible treatment for rare blood clots related to certain COVID-19 vaccines.
	Is there a link between suicide and epidemics? August 1, 2021 - A systematic review published by Dr. Simon Hatcher, in partnership with researchers across Ontario, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, looked at the relationship between public health epidemics and the risk of suicide and self-harm.
	How well do COVID-19 vaccines work in people with cancer, immune conditions and other populations of interest? July 15, 2021 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have been awarded more than $8 million to lead four national studies that will answer important questions about COVID-19 vaccines, including how well they work in people with cancer and
	How long does COVID-19 immunity last and how can we enhance protection for everyone? July 15, 2021 - What is a protective immune response to natural SARS-CoV-2 infection? Does it differ from that induced by vaccination? How many vaccine doses are needed? How long does immunity last? Can natural or vaccine immunity protect against infection by viral
	Virus versus virus: novel approach shows promise against HIV in lab study July 12, 2021 - Thanks to the development of effective drugs, HIV has become a chronic, treatable condition for most people. But it still isn’t curable, and that isn’t good enough for Dr. Jonathan Angel and his colleagues.
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded three grants for high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research May 31, 2021 - The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) 2020 Exploration competition brings diverse disciplines together in pursuit of breakthrough ideas and high-reward outcomes.
	Biotherapeutics: the future of medicine May 25, 2021 - World-class biotherapeutics facility at The Ottawa Hospital uses cells, genes and viruses to create unique life-saving treatments
	New Canada-Wide Research to Study Mixing-and-Matching COVID-19 vaccines May 20, 2021 - The Government of Canada, through the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) and the Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group (VSRG), is supporting a new nation-wide study that will look at the effects of ‘mixing-and-matching’ approved COVID-19 vaccines in
	Ottawa researchers lead $9-million COVID Variant Rapid-Response Network April 28, 2021 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are playing an important role in a University of Ottawa-led project which has been awarded $9 million by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to create a national network for better researching and responding
	Grateful COVID-19 patient gives back by participating in research April 13, 2021 - Sharon Charlebois doesn’t remember much about the 25 days she spent at The Ottawa Hospital fighting a severe case of COVID-19 in January 2021. Now that she’s recovering at home with her husband, some memories come back to her in flashes.
	Giving every COVID-19 patient the chance to participate in research March 17, 2021 - Most patients admitted to The Ottawa Hospital with COVID-19 have probably met Irene Watpool or Rebecca Porteous, even if they don’t remember it. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Irene and Rebecca have been on the front lines explaining all the av
	Research study to improve patient care during pandemic March 17, 2021 - Meagan Gordon spent much of her high-risk twin pregnancy confined to a room at our hospital to keep her and her babies safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, she's helping our researchers improve care.
	Ottawa-area residents invited to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trial March 9, 2021 - Healthy adults are invited to participate in a clinical trial at The Ottawa Hospital to test a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by VBI Vaccines Inc., a biotechnology company with Ottawa-based research and development facilities.
	The Ottawa Hospital manufactures COVID-19 vaccines for clinical trials February 25, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) is manufacturing three COVID-19 vaccines for human clinical trials, filling a critical gap in Canada’s vaccine manufacturing capacity.
	Sepsis costs Ontario healthcare system $1 billion per year February 22, 2021 - A study published in Critical Care Medicine led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa, and ICES shows that severe sepsis is linked with higher mortality, increased hospital readmission and higher healthcare costs. In Ontario
	Blood thinners help keep hospitalized COVID-19 patients out of ICU February 17, 2021 - Full-dose blood thinners reduced the need for mechanical ventilation and transfer to the ICU in moderately ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to interim results from an international clinical trial.
	Fewer domestic violence and sexual assault survivors presented for care in Ottawa EDs during the 2020 spring lockdown February 4, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital saw a decrease in emergency department admissions for sexual assault and domestic violence in the early days of COVID-19, according to a study published in BMC Medicine.
	Experimental stem cell therapy a potential weapon against COVID-19 February 1, 2021 - Drs. Duncan Stewart, Shane English, Dean Fergusson and colleagues have launched a clinical trial to test MSCs in people with severe COVID-19.
	Government of Canada invests $1M in a COVID-19 evidence network to support decision-making January 12, 2021 - To ensure decision-makers have access to the best COVID-19 science in a timely manner, the Government of Canada is investing $1M in the COVID-19 Evidence Network to support Decision-making (COVID-END)
	Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on women December 30, 2020 - Dr. Innie Chen is leading research to understand the impact of COVID-19 on women, thanks to seed funding through The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
	COVID-19 and rheumatoid arthritis: using big data to understand risks and improve treatments December 10, 2020 - Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints. Dr. Sibel Aydin is harnessing big data from ICES and the Ontario Best Practice Research Initiative to determine if people with rheumatoid arthritis are more or less li
	Can chest imaging diagnose COVID-19? December 9, 2020 - An international team led by Dr. Matthew McInnes is regularly combing the latest research to find out whether chest imaging could be a useful tool for diagnosing COVID-19.
	World-first clinical trial aims to protect cancer patients from COVID-19 December 9, 2020 - Our researchers are leading the way in a world-first clinical trial to protect vulnerable cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	The Ottawa Hospital contributes to ‘a beautiful evolution’ in HIV research and care December 4, 2020 - In honour of World AIDS day, we take a look back at how The Ottawa Hospital played a major role in caring for patients with HIV, how it continues to lead life-saving research, and how it is transforming how HIV is managed today.
	Vaccines and viral immunotherapies: unique Canadian program provides training to manufacture biotherapeutics November 21, 2020 - As COVID-19 highlights the urgent need to increase vaccine manufacturing around the world, a unique training program is bolstering Canada’s capacity to manufacture vaccines, as well as viral immunotherapies for cancer and other emerging biotherapeuti
	App could provide new way to track vaccine safety November 17, 2020 - Vaccines are one of society’s greatest success stories, but like any treatment, there can be rare adverse events and they must be tested carefully. With a massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign on the horizon, Canadian researchers have launched a pilo
	$1M grant to support manufacturing of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines at The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa November 6, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have been awarded $1,050,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support facilities for manufacturing innovative treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.
	Probing the mysteries of COVID immunity October 15, 2020 - Stop the Spread Ottawa is an initiative aimed at accelerating vaccine development against the novel coronavirus that has transformed our way of life.
	The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa launch new cancer immunotherapy research projects with funding from BioCanRx September 22, 2020 - BioCanRx, Canada’s Immunotherapy Network, today announced funding of $10M for 14 cancer immunotherapy research projects and eight core and biomanufacturing facilities across the country. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the University of
	How to mitigate ICU drug shortages related to COVID-19 September 9, 2020 - As COVID-19 continues to disrupt global drug supplies, researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are playing a key role in developing and implementing mitigation strategies for intensive care units (ICUs).
	Canadian study compares COVID-19 spit test to traditional swab test September 8, 2020 - A new study led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory shows that a Canadian-made spit test can detect the COVID-19 virus.
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded six CIHR grants worth $2.6 million September 7, 2020 - Could a common diabetes drug help prevent ovarian cancer? Can a tailored screening program help prevent eye disease in immigrants? Is sepsis different in females versus males, and if so, can this help us develop better treatments? These are just a fe
	Algorithm helps prescribers choose more targeted antibiotics August 27, 2020 - A study led by Dr. Derek MacFadden found that a combination of tools helped increase the number of patients receiving the most targeted and effective antibiotic for bacterial blood infections.
	Protecting cancer patients from COVID-19 July 8, 2020 - In the race to find new ways to prevent and treat COVID-19, Canadian researchers have launched an innovative clinical trial focussed on strengthening the immune system for one of the most vulnerable populations – cancer patients.
	Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for COVID pneumonia June 26, 2020 - Astudy led by Dr. Sylvain Boet will test if hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be able to help some people with COVID-19 pneumonia.
	Preventing dangerous blood clots in COVID-19 patients June 26, 2020 - Drs. Lana Castellucci, Marc Carrier and colleagues are contributing to an international clinical trial to find out whether a high dose of blood thinner can prevent dangerous blood clots in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
	Using big data to find promising drugs for COVID-19 June 26, 2020 - Dr. Derek MacFadden and his colleagues plan to identify promising drugs to treat COVID-19 by analyzing past data from 3,000 Ontario patients treated for other kinds of coronavirus infections.
	Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and babies June 25, 2020 - Very little is known about how COVID-19 affects pregnant women and their babies. Drs. Darine El-Chaâr, Marc-André Langlois and their team plan to address this knowledge gap through several large studies. Dr Langlois’s team will be responsib
	Harnessing cancer-fighting viruses to develop a COVID-19 vaccine June 25, 2020 - Drs. Carolina Ilkow, John Bell and colleagues are harnessing their expertise in making oncolytic (cancer-fighting) viruses to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, in partnership with scientists and clinicians in Canada and around the world.
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded $4.7 million for COVID-19 research from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research June 25, 2020 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $4.7 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for four research projects that could transform our understanding of COVID-19 and lead
	Helping COVID-19 survivors stay healthy June 23, 2020 - Drs. Sara J. Abdallah and Juthaporn Cowan will study the long-term effects of COVID-19 in survivors, checking in on them three, six and 12 months after they were initially infected.
	TOHAMO awards $1.2M for COVID-19 research projects June 12, 2020 - Could artificial intelligence help predict which COVID-19 patients will become gravely ill? Could a home-based spit test diagnose COVID-19? Could virtual care after surgery reduce patient returns to hospital?
	Can virtual care after surgery reduce patient returns to hospital? Research study now open in Ottawa June 10, 2020 - COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of all kinds of virtual health care, from phone and video appointments to tools that monitor symptoms remotely. The Ottawa Hospital continues to be at the forefront of this trend with the launch of an innovative
	Using lab-grown human tissues to identify possible treatments June 8, 2020 - Dr. William Stanford and his colleagues are using human tissue models to understand why COVID-19 makes some patients severely ill.
	Stopping COVID-19 with behavioral science and artificial intelligence June 8, 2020 - Dr. Justin Presseau and colleagues plan to use state-of-the-art behavioural science and artificial intelligence to develop an app that can help people reduce how much they touch their eyes, nose and mouth.
	Understanding the challenge of COVID-19 for Ottawa’s most vulnerable people June 8, 2020 - Dr. Smita Pakhale and her colleagues will harness the trust and engagement they have built with Ottawa’s most marginalized communities over the last 10 years through community-based participatory action research to examine how COVID-19 has impacted t
	Mobile reporting of adverse events from a pandemic COVID-19 vaccine June 8, 2020 - Dr. Kumanan Wilson and his colleagues will harness their electronic vaccine-tracking platform CANImmunize to let Canadians report potential adverse events from a COVID-19 vaccine through their mobile device.
	Could blood plasma shore up our COVID defenses? June 5, 2020 - A team led by Dr. Alan Tinmouth and Dr. Dean Fergusson is part of a collaboration aiming to settle the long-standing question of whether “convalescent” blood plasma from recovered patients can be used to treat actively sick ones.
	Creating a new mouse model to study COVID-19 lung disease June 4, 2020 - Researchers are working to develop a mouse model of COVID-19 that mimics the severe lung disease seen in humans. The lack of good, accessible animal models of this disease is severely limiting research around the world.
	Studying the immune response of COVID-19 patients in the ICU June 4, 2020 - A study led by Dr. Shirley Mei will examine why some people get severely ill and die of COVID-19, while others experience only mild symptoms
	Experimental Stem Cell Therapy a Potential Weapon in COVID-19 Fight May 28, 2020 - Ottawa-based researchers pivot at lightning speed to launch study on treating related respiratory failure
	COVID-19 research on cell therapy, drug screening and marginalized populations funded through Ontario’s Rapid Research Fund May 21, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded almost $2 million from Ontario’s COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund for three research projects that could help in the fight against the virus. These three pr
	Thanking the heroes behind clinical trials May 20, 2020 - COVID-19 has put a special focus on the importance of clinical trials in finding ways to diagnose, treat and prevent this new infection, but clinical trials have always been essential to improving care and saving lives at The Ottawa Hospital. Six cli
	COVID-19 Evidence Network to support decision-making May 11, 2020 - To help leaders around the world respond to unprecedented challenges related to COVID-19, Drs. Jeremy Grimshaw and John Lavis are co-leading The COVID-19 Evidence Network to support Decision-making (COVID-END). Partners in the network include experts
	COVID-19 research moving at ‘lightning speed’, thanks to generous community support May 8, 2020 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are working around the clock to advance more than 50 potentially life-saving research projects to support the world-wide effort to find better ways to treat and prevent COVID-19. Now, nine of these projects have bee
	Researchers use lab-grown human tissues to understand secrets of COVID-19 infection, identify possible treatments April 29, 2020 - A team of Ontario researchers is using 3D lab-grown human tissue models to understand why COVID-19 makes some patients severely ill. They also hope to identify drugs that can reduce the severity of the infection.
	Cancer-killing viruses provide inspiration for COVID-19 vaccine April 28, 2020 - While physical distancing has slowed the spread of COVID-19, the vast majority of people around the world remain susceptible to the virus. That’s why most experts believe we won’t be able to fully find a new normal until a vaccine is developed. At T
	Clinical trial to test plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients as possible treatment April 28, 2020 - Researchers, clinicians and patients at The Ottawa Hospital will be contributing to the global effort to determine if plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 (called convalescent plasma) could be an effective treatment for actively infect
	Harnessing stem cells and regenerative medicine to fight COVID-19 April 23, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have been awarded $490,000 from the Stem Cell Network for two research projects that could help in the fight against COVID-19. These peer-reviewed grants are part of an overall investm
	Should I leave my retirement or long-term care home due to COVID-19? New tools can help with tough decisions April 22, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa, the Champlain Local Health Integration Network?and the National Institute of Ageing have developed tools to help seniors decide if they should temporarily move out of their retirement, a
	How are you coping during COVID-19? April 20, 2020 - COVID-19 is changing core aspects of people’s lives in a unique manner. Social interactions, family and work are all affected. Researchers want to understand the impacts of these changes and determine what helps people cope.? They have launched a stu
	Don’t change blood pressure medication because of fear of COVID-19 April 17, 2020 - Viruses get inside our cells by latching onto specific proteins on the cell surface. In the case of COVID-19, the virus latches onto a protein that normally controls blood pressure. In fact, common blood pressure medications increase the level of thi
	New COVID-19 projections show how physical distancing can make a huge difference in Ottawa April 8, 2020 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, in partnership with Ottawa Public Health, have created a new interactive Ottawa COVID-19 website, that predicts various scenarios around the number of hospitalizations and deaths in O
	Researchers join the fight against COVID-19 April 2, 2020 - As hospitals and communities band together to fight COVID-19, researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are harnessing their unique expertise and resources to help.
	A COVID-19 palliative care pandemic plan: An essential tool March 31, 2020 - Palliative care physicians have created a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) palliative care plan as an essential tool to provide care and help manage scare resources during the pandemic. The plan, which focuses on 8 critical elements -- "stuff
	Nothing to sniff at: Screening platform identifies drugs that could fight the common cold January 10, 2020 - A team led by Dr. Robin Parks has developed a new way to identify drugs that may be good candidates for treating the common cold. While many products can treat cold symptoms, there is currently no way to treat the viruses that causes the disease, suc
	New scientist profile: Dr. Krishan Yadav aims to improve care for skin infections December 11, 2019 - Dr. Krishan Yadav wants to find the best way to treat the patients with skin infections he sees in the emergency department. Currently there is little evidence on how best to treat common skin infections such as cellulitis.
	Taking CANImmunize to the next level October 1, 2019 - CANImmunize, an award-winning vaccine-tracking platform developed by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, is transitioning into a startup company. The popular app-based platform will continue to digitally transform the delivery of immunization service
	Unravelling the mystery of how one gene contributes to Parkinson’s, Crohn’s and leprosy September 25, 2019 - Researchers have struggled for years to understand how mutations in one gene, called LRRK2, can increase the risk of three very different diseases: Parkinson’s (a brain disease), Crohn’s (a gut disease) and leprosy (a peripheral nervous system diseas
	The next frontier in HIV research: Ottawa scientists to play key role in new $17M prevention and cure studies August 14, 2019 - Despite great strides in HIV research, over 75,000 Canadians are living with HIV and approximately seven more contract it every day. And this incurable virus continues to take a huge toll around the world. The Government of Canada recently announced
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded 13 grants worth $11.2 million from Canadian Institutes of Health Research July 26, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded 13 grants worth a total of $11.2 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The new projects focus on areas such as cancer immunotherapy, hepatitis C infection, blood clots, ar
	New scientist profile: Dr. Derek MacFadden helps prescribers fight antibiotic resistance June 26, 2019 - Ninety percent of antibiotics are prescribed outside of hospitals, and a third are unnecessary. Dr. Derek MacFadden’s research aims to help prescribers choose the right antibiotic for the bacteria they’re fighting instead of using broad-spectrum anti
	$950,000 to help develop stem cell treatments for septic shock, lung injury and muscle degeneration May 17, 2019 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks to four new peer-reviewed research grants from the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medici
	Ottawa researchers working with World Health Organization to improve response to public health emergencies April 4, 2019 - In response to the SARS outbreak, the threat of influenza pandemics, and the changing nature of public health emergencies, the World Health Organization released the revised International Health Regulations (IHR(2005)). These regulations are the most
	Immunization tracking brought into the digital age November 30, 2018 - Building on successful public health reporting pilot projects in Ottawa and Kingston, Ontarians will soon be able to use CANImmunize to immediately see and download their own, and their families’ official immunization records held by the province. CA
	Experimental contraceptive could give women the power to prevent pregnancy and STIs November 30, 2018 - While condoms are the gold standard for preventing pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), there is a need around the world for solutions that can be used independently by women. New research led by Dr. Nongnuj Tanphaichitr brings a pot
	Standardizing digital vaccination records in Canada: team behind CANImmunize launches Canadian Vaccine Catalogue July 12, 2018 - As provinces and territories across Canada work to digitize vaccination records, a team of Canadian physicians, researchers and policy-makers has released the first version of the Canadian Vaccine Catalogue (CVC). This comprehensive, standards-based
	Using viruses to fight viruses: new approach eliminates “dormant” HIV-infected cells December 18, 2017 - While Ottawa researchers are known for their work on cancer-fighting viruses, one team is applying these viruses to a new target: HIV. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have discovered that the Maraba virus, or MG1, c
	Stem cells for septic shock: world-first trial establishes safety, sets stage for larger trial November 2, 2017 - Stem cells are usually thought of as the building blocks of the body – able to give rise to all our cells and organs. But Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre, Dr. Duncan Stewart, Dr. Dean Fergusson and their colleagues are testing the idea that certain stem cells
	HIV kept at bay with single injection every 8 weeks August 17, 2017 - Over the last two decades, HIV has been transformed from a death sentence into a chronic, treatable disease, requiring just a single pill a day to keep the virus at bay for most people. A study co-authored by Dr. Jonathan Angel has now paved the wa
	New treatment for our sickest patients comes closer to reality June 30, 2017 - The Ottawa Hospital was one of the top sites for enrolling patients in an international clinical trial of a promising new treatment for shock. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that a naturally-occurring protein calle
	Dr. Gonzalo Alvarez presents Taima TB research program to parliamentarians June 5, 2017 - Dr. Gonzalo Alvarez was on Parliament Hill today presenting the Taima TB research program to the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus on Indigenous Health Research in Canada. Taima TB Summary The challenge Despite the ongoing efforts of d
	Could stem cells heal premature lungs, fight infections, build muscles and strengthen bones? May 25, 2017 - Ottawa researchers closer to finding out, thanks to $1.5 million from the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to huma
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, worth $10.7 million May 19, 2017 - Eighteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded nearly $11 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a suc
	Government of Canada Supports Latent Tuberculosis Study March 24, 2017 - Tuberculosis (TB) is preventable and curable, yet it remains one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. In Canada, rates of TB are low; however, there is greater incidence among Canadian Indigenous people and among foreign-born individuals
	Ottawa researchers develop rapid review process to help WHO respond to global threats December 22, 2016 - Ms. Chantelle Garritty and collaborators in the Knowledge Synthesis Group have developed a process to help the World Health Organization (WHO) quickly create guidelines during global emergencies. During an outbreak of a new disease, WHO needs to a
	Dr. Paul MacPherson awarded Research Chair in Gay Men’s Health from Ontario HIV Treatment Network September 7, 2016 - Gay men make up 58 percent of the people living with HIV in Ontario. Although overall rates of new HIV infections are declining, gay men accounted for 60 percent of new diagnoses in 2015, highlighting the continuing risk of infection within this co
	Researchers find compound that can protect mice from Ebola July 27, 2016 - Drs. Michel Chrétien (OHRI Emeritus Scientist), Majambu Mbikay and colleagues from the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg have found a compound that can protect mice from the Ebola virus, even when given as little as 30 minutes before i
	Ottawa research informs international Ebola guideline June 14, 2016 - Should clinicians wear double gloves or single gloves when caring for Ebola patients? What about full gowns versus coveralls? After Ebola broke out in West Africa in late 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) asked Dr. David Moher and his tea
	Two lives forever changed by 30 years of HIV drug research April 22, 2016 - Yves Brunet has taken part in 15 HIV drug trials at The Ottawa Hospital since the 1980s. Thanks to research, daily treatments have commuted a sentence of certain death from AIDS into a manageable condition. Yves Brunet and Andy Collins were di
	Landmark trial could expand revolutionary treatments to all hepatitis C patients February 3, 2016 - New targeted treatments have revolutionized care for hepatitis C, offering cure rates of close to 100 percent for people infected with the most common strain of the virus. Dr. Curtis Cooper and his team have played a major role in the research th
	Dr. Robin Parks awarded $790,000 from CIHR to study common cold virus December 16, 2015 - An average person will suffer around 400 colds in his or her lifetime and these colds account for 40% of all workplace absenteeism. Colds can also have much more serious consequences in people with compromised immune systems, as well as the very youn
	New treatments cure hepatitis C in patients co-infected with HIV July 29, 2015 - Around the world, between 4 and 5 million people are infected with both HIV and the hepatitis C virus. These patients have high rates of liver disease. Until now, effective treatment for co-infected patients has been difficult since the interferon-
	How does the liver affect the immune system? $175,000 grant to help find answers June 10, 2015 - Dr. Angela Crawley has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to study how cells in the liver can influence the immune response. This project focuses on a kind of cell called a macrophage, w
	DNA test slashes wait times for tuberculosis diagnosis in Iqaluit March 23, 2015 - Study results prompt Government of Nunavut to fund TB test's continued use Tuberculosis continues to be a significant public health concern in Canada's North, where testing for TB takes far longer than in the country's major centres. A paper just
	Flu shots decrease overall risk of acquiring Guillain-Barré Syndrome January 19, 2015 - Drs. Kumanan Wilson and Steven Hawken published a paper this week that examines whether the flu shot increases or decreases the risk of getting Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious autoimmune condition. Recent studies have associated

Researchers

Name	Scientific appointment	Diseases, conditions and populations of interest	Research and clinical approaches
Alvarez, Gonzalo MD, MPH, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Lung disease, Population health, Tuberculosis	Clinical research, Epidemiology, Public health
Angel, Jonathan MD, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Chronic Disease)	HIV, Infectious disease	Basic research, Clinical research, Translational research
Cahill, Taliesin RN MSN	Clinician Investigator (Clinical Epidemiology)	Addiction, Chronic pain, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Hepatitis C, HIV, Infectious disease, Mental health
Cameron, Bill MD FRCPC FACP FIDSA	Senior Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Chronic disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COVID-19, Cystic fibrosis, HIV, Infectious disease, Sexually transmitted infections, Tuberculosis	Clinical research, Epidemiology, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Pharmacology
Cooper, Curtis MD, FRCPC	Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	COVID-19, Hepatitis C, HIV, Infectious disease, Influenza	Clinical research, Immunization
Cowan, Juthaporn MD, PhD, FRCPC	Associate Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Autoimmune disease, COVID-19, Infectious disease	Immunization, Immunotherapy, Patient engagement
Diallo, Jean-Simon PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Therapeutics)	Cancer, COVID-19, Infectious disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
El-Chaar, Darine MD, FRCSC, Msc	Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Autoimmune disease, COVID-19, Diabetes, Infectious disease, Inflammatory bowel syndrome, Maternal and fetal health, Newborn and child health, Population health, Pregnancy, Women's health	Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Public health, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Systematic reviews
MacPherson, Paul PhD, MD, FRCPC	Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Anxiety, Depression, Gay men's health, HIV, Infectious disease, Men's health, Sexually transmitted infections	Behaviour, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health promotion, Health services research, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Prevention, Psychology, Qualitative methods, Surveys
Manuel, Douglas MD, MSc, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Aging, Alzheimer's, Cancer, COVID-19, Dementia, Diabetes, Frailty, Global health, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Health in older peoples, Immigrant and refugee health, Infectious disease, Obesity, Parkinson's, Population health, Stroke, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Digital and mobile health, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Prevention, Public health
Quizi, Jennifer PhD	Investigator (Cancer Therapeutics)	Cancer, Infectious disease	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Santos, Marlise MD (FRCPC), MSc, MPH	Clinician Investigator (Clinical Epidemiology)	Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Ataxia, Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer, Chronic disease, Concussion, Dementia, Depression, Global health, Head and neck cancer, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Intellectual disabilities, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Population health, Sickle cell anemia, Spinal cord injury, Stroke, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Thrombosis / thromboembolism, Traumatic brain injury, Traumatic injuries, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Behaviour, Biostatistics, Cancer biotherapeutics, Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health research methods, Health services research, Health technology, Imaging, Patient safety, Pragmatic trials, Prevention, Public health, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Shared decision making, Surgery, Surveys, Systematic reviews
Sulis, Giorgia MD, PhD	Associate Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Global health, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Health in older peoples, Infectious disease, Tuberculosis	Epidemiology, Health professional behaviour change, Health services research, Immunization, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Prevention, Public health, Systematic reviews
Tanphaichitr, Nongnuj PhD	Senior Scientist Emeritus (Chronic Disease)	HIV, Infectious disease, Infertility, Men's health, Sexually transmitted infections, Women's health	Basic research, Contraceptive development, Drug development, Imaging, Lipidomics, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics
Wilson, Kumanan MD, MSc, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	COVID-19, Global health, Infectious disease, Newborn and child health, Population health	Artificial intelligence and data science, Big data, Biomarkers, Clinical research, Digital and mobile health, Epidemiology, Health services research, Health technology, Immunization, Public health, Transfusions, Translational research
Xing, Lydia MD	Clinician Investigator (Clinical Epidemiology)	Infectious disease
Yadav, Krishan MD, MSc, FRCPC	Associate Scientist (Clinical Epidemiology)	Infectious disease, Skin disorders	Clinical research, Emergency medicine

Related Resources

Infectious disease research at The Ottawa Hospital: common cold, Ebola, Hepatitis C, HIV, immunization, Influenza, septic shock, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis

Infectious Diseases Clinic at The Ottawa Hospital

Infection Prevention & Control at The Ottawa Hospital

University of Ottawa Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (CI3)

Search for clinical trials at The Ottawa Hospital related to this disease or condition.