Hand Wash Study V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Hand to nose transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy participants: randomised control trial assessing the effect of hand washing on transmission
IRAS ID
236403
Contact name
Victoria Randles
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Why? Pneumococcus bacteria can cause severe infection such as pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis particularly in those with lower immunity, the very young and elderly.
How? This bacteria is commonly present in the nose of healthy adults without any sign of illness (10%) and more often carried by children (50%) this carriage may develop a natural immunity to the infection, but also is needed for
invasive infection to develop. There is evidence to suggest that exposure of the hands to pathogens can lead to respiratory illnesses, however, there is no published data investigating specifically how Streptococcus pneumoniae is
spread. We recently completed a pilot study looking into this question which found that the hands were important vehicles for pneumococcal transmission.
Who? To make sure participants are safe we will recruit healthy adults who are at less risk of infection.
Where? The study will be conducted at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine with clinical procedures being undertaken in the Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator Building’s Accelerator Research Clinic (ARC) which is a LSTM sponsored research clinic on a NHS site. Healthy volunteers will be recruited from the local advertising including at universities and in public places.
what? The study will take 3 weeks. A few drops of weakened live bacteria are put onto the hand of participants and we ask them to facilitate transmission into the nose by following rubbing their noses and sniffing up. 50% of participants will be asked to do this when straight after the bacteria is put on their hands and the other half will wash their hands with antibacterial soap before attempted transmission. Participants will be followed up and we will collect samples from the nose.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0658
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion