Evaluation of a rapid COVID-19 test (FASTER)
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN89159899 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN89159899 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 282147 |
| Protocol serial number | 20-036, IRAS 282147 |
| Sponsor | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine |
| Funder | Pfizer |
- Submission date
- 10/07/2020
- Registration date
- 21/08/2020
- Last edited
- 14/02/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Infections and Infestations
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
COVID-19 is a condition caused by the coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in late 2019. This virus can infect the respiratory (breathing) system. Some people do not have symptoms but can carry the virus and pass it on to others. People who have developed the condition may develop a fever and/or a continuous cough among other symptoms. This can develop into pneumonia. Pneumonia is a chest infection where the small air pockets of the lungs, called alveoli, fill with liquid and make it more difficult to breathe.
In 2020, the virus has spread to many countries around the world and neither a vaccine against the virus or specific treatment for COVID-19 has yet been developed. As of March 2020, it is advised that people minimize travel and social contact, and regularly wash their hands to reduce the spread of the virus.
Groups who are at a higher risk from infection with the virus, and therefore of developing COVID-19, include people aged over 70 years, people who have long-term health conditions (such as asthma or diabetes), people who have a weakened immune system and people who are pregnant. People in these groups, and people who might come into contact with them, can reduce this risk by following the up-to-date advice to reduce the spread of the virus.
A fast and reliable diagnostic assay that could be used at the point-of-need (PON) is yet to be developed. We have been working closely with our commercial partners in 2020 on the development of highly sensitive PON tests to facilitate diagnosis at the point of need and to reduce the consequences of diagnostic delay.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and presence or lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) with bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (which are commonly found in the throat without necessarily causing symptoms) as well as S. pneumoniae colonisation/LRTI and COVID-19 related disease severity among those that are COVID-19 positive.
Who can participate?
Healthy adults over 18 years old that are attending the hospital with signs and symptoms of coronavirus can participate in the study.
What does the study involve?
The study involves samples being taken at day 0 (consent), day 2, day 7 and day 28. The samples include saliva, throat and nose swabs, nasosorption (blotting paper inserted into the nose to collect some concentrated nasal secretions), urine and blood. Data is collected from hospital case notes, all samples and data collected are annonymous.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Some sampling including nose swabs and blood samples may cause temporary discomfort or bruising however the sampling is minimally invasive. There are no direct benefits of taking part in the study, participation is helping to develop knowledge and improve diagnostic tests. The nose and throat swab is used to detect the coronavirus and may pick up a positive result where the NHS sample has not been taken or taken at a different time-point that has not detected the virus.
Where is the study run from?
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2020 to April 2021
Who is funding the study?
Pfizer (USA)
Who is the main contact?
Angela Hyder-Wright, angela.hyder-wright@lstmed.ac.uk or 2volresearch@lstmed.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
Accelerator Research Clinic
Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator Building
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5989-2811 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)7540976888 |
| angela.hyder-wright@lstmed.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Observational cohort study |
| Secondary study design | Cohort study |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN89159899_PIS_patient_v3.0_31May2020.pdf |
| Scientific title | Facilitating A SARS CoV-2 TEst for Rapid triage (FASTER) |
| Study acronym | FASTER |
| Study objectives | This project will evaluate point-of-need (PON) tests for the detection of the novel strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the rapidly growing deadly outbreak of COVID-19 and will study the association between COVID-19 and S. pneumoniae colonisation and clinical outcome. We are working with industrial partners who have developed a low-cost, lateral flow assay (LFA) to detect viral circulating antigens and IgM/G against COVID-19 in less than 15 minutes. These PON tests are intended for the rapid triage of patients with fever and/or cough. Furthermore, the PON tests will be formatted as self-tests, offering the additional benefit of deploying widely in the home and community settings. In addition, we will evaluate ELISA assays to detect IgG, IgA and IgM against COVID-19. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 08/06/2020, National Health Research Ethics Committee South Central Oxford C (Level 3, Block B, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK; +44 (0)207 104 8041; oxfordc.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 20/SC/0169 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) |
| Intervention | Healthy adults over 18 years old that are attending the hospital with signs and symptoms of coronavirus infection can participate in the study. The study involves samples being taken at day 0 (consent), day 2, day 7 and day 28. The samples include saliva, throat and nose swabs, nasosorption (blotting paper inserted into the nose to collect some concentrated nasal secretions), urine and blood. Data is collected from hospital case notes, all samples and data collected are anonymous. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Pneumococcal colonisation measured in SARS-CoV-2-positive participants and SARS-CoV-2-negative controls by PCR at baseline, day 2, day 7 and day 28 |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Levels of inflammation are assessed by levels of 30 cytokines in nasal fluid and serum at baseline, day 2, day 7 and day 28 |
| Completion date | 14/04/2021 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 400 |
| Total final enrolment | 400 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adults 18 years old 2. Presenting with any of the following COVID-19 symptoms 2.1 Fever ≥37.8°C +/- 2.2. Shortness of breath +/- 2.3. New/ persistent cough 2.4 Clinical or radiological evidence of pneumonia 3. Fluent spoken English - to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the research project and their proposed involvement 4. Capacity to give informed verbal consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Lack of capacity or unable to perform verbal consent |
| Date of first enrolment | 14/04/2020 |
| Date of final enrolment | 14/04/2021 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Liverpool
L7 8XP
United Kingdom
Liverpool
L9 7AL
United Kingdom
Warrington Road
Prescot
L35 5DR
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Other |
| IPD sharing plan | All data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 09/02/2022 | 10/02/2022 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | version v3.0 | 31/05/2020 | 25/08/2020 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | version v3.0 | 31/05/2020 | 25/08/2020 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | version v3.0 | 06/05/2020 | 25/08/2020 | No | No |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN89159899_PROTOCOL_ v3.0_6May2020.pdf
- uploaded 25/08/2020
- ISRCTN89159899_PIS_patient_v3.0_31May2020.pdf
- uploaded 25/08/2020
- ISRCTN89159899_PIS_consultee_v3.0_31May2020.pdf
- uploaded 25/08/2020
Editorial Notes
14/02/2022: St Helens and Knowsley Hospital Trust was added as a trial participating centre.
10/02/2022: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
25/08/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Uploaded protocol (not peer reviewed) Version 3.0 06 May 2020.
2. The participant information sheets were uploaded as additional files.
24/07/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by South Central - Oxford C REC.
