A new evidence-based plan to manage lower respiratory infections in low-resource hospitals
A randomized controlled trial of a novel, evidence-based algorithm for managing lower respiratory tract infection in a resource-limited setting
Combining simple exam clues, rapid bedside pathogen tests, and quick biomarker tests to help doctors in low-resource hospitals decide when children and adults with lower respiratory infections need antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143116 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is building a clear step-by-step tool to help clinicians tell if a chest infection is likely bacterial or viral. They will use an existing local biorepository of past patients to guide how clinical signs, point-of-care pathogen tests, and biomarker tests fit together. After designing the algorithm, they will test it in hospital settings using a randomized approach to see how it changes antibiotic use and care. The project also talks with local clinicians and stakeholders to learn whether the tool is acceptable and what would make it practical to use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Hospitalized children and adults in the participating low- or middle-income country sites with suspected lower respiratory tract infection are the intended candidates for participation.
Not a fit: Outpatients, people without suspected lower respiratory infection, or patients at hospitals not participating in the trial are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could cut unnecessary antibiotic use, lower antibiotic resistance, and reduce side effects while still treating people who truly need antibiotics.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work using single biomarkers or rapid tests has sometimes lowered antibiotic prescribing, but combining multiple low-cost point-of-care tools into one algorithm for LMIC hospitals is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tillekeratne, Gayani — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Tillekeratne, Gayani
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 below.