FACTS- Finding active Schistosoma infections by CAA detection
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validation of the UCP-LF CAA serum test for the diagnosis of active Schistosoma infection
IRAS ID
186046
Contact name
Peter Chiodini
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 4 days
Research summary
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection of the tropics affecting either the bowel or the bladder. At present it is detected by blood (looking for antibodies) stool and urine tests. Half of our schistosomiasis patients have positive antibody tests, but negative stool and urine tests. In those people, it is important to know if the positive antibody test means they still have the infection, or whether it is inactive. We would like to study the “UCP-LF CAA” assay. This is a blood test which looks for antigen (a chemical released by the parasite into the blood). If antigen is found it means the parasite is still alive and needs to be treated with a course of tablets. If this test works it will improve the care of patients with schistosomiasis. The test has been used a lot in the tropics where it has proven helpful and we would now like to do preliminary tests on stored sera (blood tests) to see how well the “UCP-LF CAA” test might work on samples from the patients we see in London. If it gives encouraging results, we plan to do a prospective study.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1449
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion