A blood protein test to quickly diagnose melioidosis
Official title: A plasma proteomic diagnostic for melioidosis
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11618813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new plasma protein test aims to rapidly identify melioidosis in people admitted with infection, helping doctors start the right treatment sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $8,208 |
| NIH project number | 3R21AI186381-02S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11618813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients hospitalized with suspected infection in melioidosis-endemic regions (e.g., parts of Southeast Asia) where culture facilities are limited.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-melioidosis infections or without infection might not benefit from this diagnostic signature.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a blood-based diagnostic using a small panel of eight proteins found in plasma to tell melioidosis apart from other infections. It builds on previous work in a well-characterized patient group and uses samples collected during hospitalization to test the diagnostic signature. The team will analyze how well these protein markers distinguish melioidosis in real-world, resource-limited settings where cultures may be slow or unavailable. If successful, the test could provide a faster, non-culture method to guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes for patients with suspected infection due to Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the test works well, patients with melioidosis could receive faster, appropriate therapy, potentially reducing deaths.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies showed high accuracy of the eight-protein signature in distinguishing melioidosis from other infections.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: West, Timothy Eoin — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: West, Timothy Eoin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.