Validating capillary syphilis & hepatitis samples with venous samples

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Validation of capillary blood samples of sexual health service users for syphilis and hepatitis serology paired with their venous blood sample: evaluation of a new method of syphilis and hepatitis testing based on a self-taken sample.

  • IRAS ID

    259493

  • Contact name

    David R Phillips

  • Contact email

    david.phillips7@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 3 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    The usual way to screen people for syphilis and hepatitis infection is laboratory analysis of blood taken by blood test from a vein. It is also possible to perform the laboratory analysis on blood a tiny volume of blood (5-8 drops) taken by prickling a finger. This is more acceptable to some patients and also allows them to self-sample even at home. Although this technology is proven, we have to confirm our analyzers give the expected results for our patient population by performing both venous blood and finger prick samples at the same time and checking that the results come out the same.

  • REC name

    London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/LO/0907

  • Date of REC Opinion

    21 May 2019

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion