Uncovering the cellular blueprint of soft tissue infections
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Deciphering necrotizing soft tissue infections one cell at a time
IRAS ID
328418
Contact name
Sarah Teichmann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs), also known as “flesh eating disorder”, are life-threatening bacterial infections that begin in the skin and then spread quickly, causing severe sepsis. Diagnosis is currently unspecific which causes delays and ultimately leads to poor outcomes for patients. Over 30% of patients die and others are left with debilitating consequences and long-term problems.
There is currently little understanding of how NSTIs develop, how the body reacts to the infection and the interaction of the body's cells with the bacterial cells. This study will use cutting edge single cell technologies to look at individual cells involved in diseased tissue and compare them with unaffected tissue and with cells from a less severe infection (cellulitis) to gain a better understanding of NSTIs. With these results, it is hoped diagnosis can be improved by being more specific and quicker, possible treatment targets will be identified, and more detailed information about which bacteria, and how the bacteria are involved in the disease development will be gained.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NE/0148
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion