Examining exhaled breath for the presence of the bacteria pneumococcus
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN12884329 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12884329 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | Version 1; 22/07/2019 |
- Submission date
- 23/07/2019
- Registration date
- 30/08/2019
- Last edited
- 09/05/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Infections and Infestations
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The aim of this study is to assess whether two devices, ‘BreathSpec’ and the ‘Exhaled Detection Facemask’ (EDF) are able to identify and quantify Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) in exhaled breathe from participants who have had the bacteria experimentally introduced into their nose. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem all over the world. In order to address this, better diagnostic tests are urgently needed to improve the use of antibiotics. Currently doctors only find the bacteria or virus causing the pneumonia in 50-73% of patients even with extensive investigation, which leads to poor antibiotic prescribing. This study uses two new diagnostic devices that could identify the presence of the leading cause of pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae. The first device, BreathSpec, analyses chemicals that are present in exhaled breath for a specific ‘signature’ that indicates the presence of pneumococcus. The second, EDF, is a facemask that collects samples from exhaled breath. The ‘Experimental Human Pneumococcal challenge’ (EHPC) model is used to perform both BreathSpec and EDF before and after the pneumococcus is experimentally introduced into a participant’s nose. As a result, the two devices can be used to assess the changes occuring when the pneumococcus is present.
Who can participate?
Healthy volunteers aged 18-50
What does the study involve?
The plan is to perform BreathSpec (breathing into a machine) and EDF (wearing a facemask for 30-60 minutes) with 50 participants who have had pneumococcus put up their nose. Samples are then collected intermittently for the following month.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
In future these data may contribute to the development of devices that better identify the cause of pneumonia and guide targeted antibiotic treatment. There are no direct benefits to taking part in the study but it is hoped that participants will feel that they have contributed to a research project that could inform pneumonia diagnosis in the future. The risks associated with the research relate to the sampling methods and the exposure to live bacteria. Nasal wash: samples involve squirting some sterile saline inside the nose, this is then expelled and collected for processing. Some participants may swallow some of the saline but this is not uncomfortable. Blood sampling: a very small sample of blood is taken at the beginning of the study (3 ml). Some participants may find this temporarily uncomfortable but the staff that perform this are trained and experienced in this process. On occasions, blood sampling can cause a small bruise or make the participant feel light headed. The volume taken during this study is highly unlikely however to make participants feel light headed. Throat swab(s): The throat is swabbed with a cotton stick. It can make you gag a little. Nasosorption: This involves a small blotting paper that is placed up a nostril for two minutes. This can tickle but is not painful. There are no risks involved in the saliva or urine sampling. BreathSpec: participants are asked to provide two breaths into a tube. A forced breath may cause temporary dizziness. There are no risks involved. EDF: Participants are asked to wear a mask that covers the mouth for between 15-30 minutes. Participants may feel a little claustrophobic when wearing the mask over their mouth but there are no risks involved with the sampling. The risks associated with the exposure to live bacteria include pneumonia, meningitis or sepsis. The researchers have however inoculated over 1400 healthy participants in 9 years and have not experienced a single case of these diseases. They reduce the risk by providing the participant with 24/7 access to a member of the research team, a course of antibiotics to be taken in case of illness (under specific guidance of the research team), a safety information leaflet and a digital thermometer to check their temperature daily for the first 3-4 days and in the case of feeling unwell.
Where is the study run from?
Accelerator Research Clinic (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2019 to April 2021
Who is funding the study?
Centre of Excellence in Infectious Disease Research (CEIDR) grant
Who is the main contact?
Dr Ryan Robinson
2volresearch@lstmed.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Accelerator Research Clinic
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-0871-4780 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)151 702 9468 |
| 2volresearch@lstmed.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Experimental cohort study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Diagnostic |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet. |
| Scientific title | The PneumEx study: experimental human pneumococcal challenge and exhaled pneumococcal biomarkers |
| Study acronym | PneumEx |
| Study objectives | To determine if there is an exhaled biomarker for nasopharyngeal colonisation by pneumococcus |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 23/10/2019, North West- Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee (Barlow House, 3rd Floor, 4 Minshull Street, Manchester, M1 3DZ, UK; +44 (0)207 104 8197; nrescommittee.northwest-liverpoolcentral@nhs.net), ref: 19/NW/0586 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Nasopharyngeal colonisation by pneumococcus |
| Intervention | Nasal exposure with Streptococcus pneumoniae SPN6B. Participants will undergo exhaled assessment via the BreathSpec and 'exhaled detection facemask' pre- and post pneumococcal inoculation. Samples will then be collected intermittently for the following month. |
| Intervention type | Device |
| Pharmaceutical study type(s) | |
| Phase | Not Applicable |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | |
| Primary outcome measure | Exhaled biomarker analysis performed by BreathSpec post-inoculation at D0+4, D2, D7, D14, then D14+4, D15, D16, D21 post booster inoculation |
| Secondary outcome measures | BreathSpec: 1. The density and duration of pneumococcal colonisation as defined by nasal wash and BreathSpec post-inoculation at D0+4, D2, D7, D14, then D14+4, D15, D16, D21 post booster inoculation Exhaled Detection Facemask: 1. The rate of pneumococcal bacterial shedding as defined by exhaled detection facemask and cough-plate based assessment post- inoculation at D2, D7, D16, D21 (presence and density (CFU/ml) 2. Pneumococcal carriage density as defined by the exhaled detection facemask and cough-plate based assessment post-inoculation at D2, D7, D16 and D21 |
| Overall study start date | 01/09/2019 |
| Completion date | 01/04/2021 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 50 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 48 |
| Total final enrolment | 41 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adults aged 18-50 years 2. Fluent spoken English 3. Access to mobile telephone – to ensure safety and timely communication 4. Capacity to give informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Research participant: 1.1. Currently involved in another study unless observational or non-interventional except for the EHPC bronchoscopy study 1.2. Participant in a previous EHPC trial within the last 3 years (at the discretion of the study team, i.e. not inoculated nasally with pneumococcus) 2. Vaccination: previous pneumococcal vaccination PPV23 or PCV13 (routine in UK babies born since 2005 or US 2001) 3. Allergy: to penicillin/amoxicillin and clarithromycin (or other macrolides) 4. Health history: 4.1. Chronic ill health including immunosuppressive history, diabetes, asthma (on regular medication), recurrent otitis media or other respiratory disease 4.2. Medication that may affect the immune system e.g. steroids, inflammation altering (e.g. nasal steroids, roacutane) or disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs. 4.3. Recent antibiotics (within the last 28 days or long term for known active chronic infection) 4.4. Current illness or acute illness within 14 days prior to inoculation 4.5. Major pneumococcal illness requiring hospitalisation 4.6. Other conditions considered by the clinical team as a concern for participant safety or integrity of the study 5. Direct caring role or close contact: with individuals at higher risk of infection: 5.1. Children under 5 years age 5.2. Chronic ill health or immunosuppressed adults 6. Smoker: 6.1. Current or ex-smoker (regular cigarettes, regular e-cigarette/vaping and regular smoking of recreational drugs) in the last 6 months 6.2. Previous significant smoking history - more than 20 cigarettes per day for 20 years or the equivalent (>20 pack years) 7. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): who are: 7.1. Not deemed to have sufficient/effective birth control or confirmed abstinence 7.2. Pregnant 8. History or current drug or alcohol abuse: (frequently drinking alcohol: men and women should not regularly drink >3 units/day and >2 units/day respectively) at the discretion of the clinician 9. Overseas travel planned in the follow-up period of the study visits |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/10/2019 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/10/2020 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
Research Governance Team
Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator Building
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
England
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)151 705 3794 |
|---|---|
| lstmgov@lstmed.ac.uk | |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/03svjbs84 |
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/10/2023 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Other |
| Publication and dissemination plan | The researchers plan to publish the results in scientific peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences, on their website and summaries to be included in our yearly newsletter that is used at public engagement events and sent to all participants electronically. |
| 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
09/05/2022: Total final enrolment added, intention to publish date changed from 01/10/2020 to 01/10/2023.
05/11/2019: The ethics approval was added.
30/07/2019: Trial's existence confirmed by funder.
