Assessing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Virulence In Children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploratory Study To Measure Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Virulence In The Sputum Of Children With Complex Neurodisability During Acute Lower Respiratory Tract
IRAS ID
248315
Contact name
Heather Elphick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
Children with complex disabilities are at increased risk of respiratory problems including pneumonia. Pneumonia in these children is commonly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), which can cause very severe illness. Once PA infection is established it is very difficult to eradicate and it may reactivate at any time the child becomes infected with a respiratory virus.
When a child with complex disability becomes unwell with a respiratory infection at home it can be very difficult for a clinician to decide whether the deterioration is driven by the virus alone (and will improve without antibiotics), or whether it is due to a reactivation of the PA (which will cause a much more severe illness). Unnecessary antibiotic treatment can lead to side effects or antimicrobial resistance; a delay in the correct treatment can lead to serious deterioration, hospital or intensive care admission.
The standard test for detection of PA in a child’s sputum is microbiological culture, but this takes 48 hours and can only tell the clinician whether the PA is present, not how active it is. There is a need for a test that can quickly quantify the level of active PA infection to help clinicians to decide quickly whether or not to treat aggressively when a child becomes unwell at home.
A laboratory-based test for PA has been developed by Aseptika Ltd (ASL) and Fleet Bioprocessing Ltd (FBP). The test has been trialled and proven effective in adults. It is accurate, fast (results within 2 hours) and cost efficient. We wish to analyse samples with this test to establish whether it will also be an effective test for children. If so, we will apply for a grant for a larger trial and the laboratories will then develop the test further to make it available for home use.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/2138
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion