ex-vivo absorption of toxins in severe infections
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of the ex-vivo absorption of toxins produced by Gram-positive bacteria in the plasma of patients with severe infections.
IRAS ID
180994
Contact name
Aras Kadioglu
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 4 days
Research summary
A study to see if treating blood samples with liposomes can reduce certain types of bacterial toxins, produced by a group of bacteria known as “Gram-positive bacteria”. These bacteria are associated with sepsis (severe infection). A liposome is a spherical lipid vesicles made of cholesterol. Liposomes are thought to bind with these “Gram-positive” bacterial toxins. If the toxins bind with the liposomes then they would be unable to bind to our cells. This would mean that our cells would be protected from damage by toxins, alleviating the symptoms and long term effects of sepsis. We also hope to be able to use the liposomes to aid diagnosis of the cause of infection by measuring the type and amount of toxin in a patient’s blood sample.
Before we can try this as a treatment in humans, we need to test blood samples in a laboratory to see if the liposomes can clear toxins from the blood.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0577
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion