A new blood test for diagnosing and monitoring infectious diseases

Drop-of-blood technology for diagnosis and therapeutic drug monitoring in patients with infectious disease

NIH-funded research Tulane University of Louisiana · NIH-10879140

This study is working on a fast and easy blood test that helps doctors quickly understand how serious an infection is, especially for patients with conditions like COVID-19, so they can make better treatment decisions right away.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Orleans, United States)
Project IDNIH-10879140 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a quick and effective blood test that can assess the severity of infectious diseases at the point of care. By using a novel technique called integrated quasi-static acoustic tweezing thromboelastometry (i-QATT), the test will analyze blood coagulation without the need for complex laboratory procedures. This could allow healthcare providers to make timely treatment decisions for patients suffering from severe infections, potentially improving outcomes. The focus is particularly on conditions like COVID-19, where rapid health deterioration is often linked to coagulation issues.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients with severe infectious diseases, particularly those at risk of complications related to coagulation abnormalities.

Not a fit: Patients with mild infections or those not experiencing coagulation issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases, ultimately saving lives.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach is innovative, similar technologies have shown promise in other areas of medical diagnostics, suggesting potential for success.

Where this research is happening

New Orleans, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Infectious Disease PathwayInfectious DiseasesInfectious Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.