Improving diagnosis of life-threatening skin infections using a special imaging technique
Official title: Real-Time Diagnosis of Life-Threatening Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections Using Indocyanine Green Kinetic Modeling
Funded at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic · NIH-11067271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help doctors quickly and accurately identify serious infections caused by flesh-eating bacteria using a special dye and imaging technique, which could lead to better treatment for patients with these dangerous infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project start | November 18, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $710,018 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI184513-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals presenting with symptoms suggestive of necrotizing soft-tissue infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-infectious skin conditions or those not exhibiting symptoms of NSTIs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the diagnosis of necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs), also known as flesh-eating bacteria, which can rapidly lead to severe health complications. The study utilizes a technique called fluorescence-guided surgery, employing a safe dye called indocyanine green (ICG) to improve the detection of these infections. By administering ICG and using immediate fluorescence imaging, the research aims to identify specific signal changes in infected tissues, differentiating NSTIs from less severe infections. This approach seeks to provide faster and more accurate diagnoses, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to quicker and more accurate diagnoses of life-threatening infections, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results using fluorescence imaging techniques for similar diagnostic challenges, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
Lebanon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henderson, Eric R — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Henderson, Eric R
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.