SLIC: a new rapid diagnostic test for urinary infections

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    SLIC: a feasibility study of a novel rapid diagnostic test for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in primary care.

  • IRAS ID

    244611

  • Contact name

    Stephen H Gillespie

  • Contact email

    shg3@st-andrews.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Saint Andrews

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    Application Number 2018072301164199, MHRA Registration

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Resistance to antibiotics is an increasing public health concern world-wide, and a threat to patient safety. Infections that were easily treatable in the past, can no longer be cured if bacteria develop resistance. Rapid diagnostics provide the ability of detecting infection in a symptomatic patient in a more precise, and timely manner. SLIC is a novel tool based on laser technology, able to detect bacterial presence in urine in less than 10 minutes (standard NHS GP consultation time), with extra ability to test bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics, with all this process taking less than 30 minutes. The main aim of the present study is to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the test, comparing SLIC results with standard laboratory culture. If SLIC is shown to be effective, it proving to be a potential outstanding resource for improving the management of patients with suspected urinary infection presenting to primary care, and reducing inappropriate antibiotic use, which is the main factor driving resistance.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 01

  • REC reference

    18/SS/0110

  • Date of REC Opinion

    10 Sep 2018

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion