Improving diagnosis and treatment of respiratory infections in children in low-resource areas
Official title: Leveraging Molecular Technologies to Improve Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Illness in Resource-Constrained Settings
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10894910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to help doctors tell if kids in Uganda with breathing problems have a bacterial infection or a virus, so they can give the right treatment and avoid using antibiotics when they’re not needed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 27, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $203,605 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AI173658-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years presenting with febrile respiratory symptoms in resource-limited settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not present with respiratory symptoms or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new diagnostic tools to better identify bacterial infections in children with acute respiratory illnesses in Uganda. By distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections, the project aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, which is a significant contributor to antimicrobial resistance. The approach involves creating a predictive model based on clinical data and biological markers to enhance diagnosis and management of these conditions. This work is particularly important in resource-constrained settings where diagnostic resources are limited.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better management of respiratory infections in children, ultimately reducing the misuse of antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing diagnostic tools for similar conditions, indicating that this approach has potential for impactful outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ciccone, Emily Jane — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Ciccone, Emily Jane
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.