RAPID IMMUNE TEST, V1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Host immune response point-of-care testing for children and adults presenting to primary care with acute upper respiratory tract infection: a mixed-methods feasibility study

• IRAS ID

  332965

• Contact name

  Emily Brown

• Contact email

  emily.brown@bristol.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Bristol

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Antibiotics only work for infections caused by bacteria. They do not work if the infection is caused by a virus. If antibiotics are given too often, they can stop working. This is called “antimicrobial resistance” (AMR). It makes infections caused by bacteria difficult to treat and they can be fatal.

  Most antibiotics are given in GP practices. Too many antibiotics are given because it is often hard to tell if infections are caused by bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics are often given for infections caused by viruses, like sore throats and sinus infections. Infections in the ear, throat, nose or sinuses, but not the lungs, are known as “upper respiratory infections”.

  A new, quick, ‘point-of-care test’ (POCT) called FebriDx® uses a tiny ‘finger-prick’ blood sample to measure how a patient’s immune system is reacting to the infection. The result can help healthcare staff know if the infection is viral or bacterial. This POCT has been used in hospitals, but not in GP practices. We want to see if FebriDx® will work in GP practices.

  We want to know:
  1. How often healthcare staff use the test and who they test
  2. If the test changes what healthcare staff think caused the infection and whether antibiotics are needed
  3. How good the test is at telling the difference between viral and bacterial infections

  The study sites will be GP practices (and perhaps Acute Respiratory Infection hubs and Pharmacy First pharmacies) in the NIHR South West Central Research Delivery Network area. Adults and children with upper respiratory infections can take part.

  Participants will have the FebriDx® test and a nose/throat. The results of the FebriDx® test will help decide what treatment is best. We will ask participants and healthcare staff if they want to take part in an optional interview about FebriDx®.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 4

• REC reference

  24/WS/0109

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Sep 2024

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion