SASA vs 1.0 12-Dec-2017
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Sysmex-XN 20 Analyser to assess lymphocyte Subsets and other haematological parameters in Acute and chronic viral infections
IRAS ID
234352
Contact name
Sarah Pett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
The Sysmex-XN 20 is a blood count analyser that is commonly used in the haematology laboratory. In addition to measuring the haemoglobin (amount of blood in your body), it can measure the number of cells circulating in the blood, including white blood cells (that help fight infection) and platelets, which help the blood clot. More recently, the analysis capacity of this machine has been extended and using novel technology, it can measure not only the levels of these white blood cells but how active they are. White blood cells become activated in response to infections, while this is a natural process associated with the way in which the body fights infections these lymphocytes can become overactive in acute (short lasting) and chronic (long-lasting) viral infections. Having very activated lymphocytes occurs in chronic viral infections like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and can have long-term health consequences. Right now in clinical practice, we can measure the levels of different lymphocytes including T-cells, but we have no simple test to test how activated these lymphocytes are, and measure the effects of treatment. The Sysmex-XN 20 extended testing platform, using a very small amount of blood, can give us detailed information on the levels of lymphocyte activation. In the SASA study, we are inviting patients with viral infections including HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B to donate a single small amount of blood to measure how activated their lymphocytes and other blood cells are. This initial pilot study will help us design a separate study in which we will enrol a larger group of patients with repeated testing over time, to monitor how levels of lymphocyte activation change over time, and what the effects of treatment are.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0067
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion