Understanding causes and outcomes of febrile illness in rural South and Southeast Asia
Official title: Determining the Causes and Outcomes of Febrile Illness in Health Care Facilities in Rural South and Southeast Asia, as Part of the South and Southeast Asian Community-based Trials Network (SEACTN). Work Package B (WP-B).
Run by University of Oxford · NCT04629053 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to find out what causes fevers and how they affect people living in rural areas of Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Bangladesh to help improve health care in those communities.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 29 Days and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 7200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Dhaka and 3 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 21, 2022 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 12, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT04629053 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are individuals over 28 days old presenting with acute febrile illness lasting 14 days or less.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients whose febrile illness is due to trauma or who have been afebrile for less than 72 hours prior to assessment may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to identify the causes and clinical outcomes of acute febrile illness in patients over 28 days old residing in rural areas of Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Bangladesh. By collecting data from local health facilities and village health workers, the study seeks to quantify the burden of febrile illness and understand its impact on these communities. The findings will help inform future interventions to address health issues in these low- and middle-income regions, where febrile illnesses are prevalent but under-researched.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of febrile illnesses, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality in affected populations.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited data on similar studies in these specific regions, the approach of investigating febrile illness in low-resource settings has shown promise in other contexts.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. The patient and/or where relevant their parent/guardian/caretaker is willing and able to give informed consent /assent for participation in the study; 2. Aged \> 28 days (day of birth = Day 1); 3. Axillary temperature at presentation (≥ 37.5°C (99.5°F) OR \< 35.5°C (95.9°F)) and no more likely cause than sepsis for hypothermia OR History of fever in the 24 hours prior to presentation; 4. Onset of illness ≤ 14 days Exclusion Criteria: 1. Accident or trauma is the cause for the patient's presentation; 2. Presentation ≤ 3 days after routine immunisations 3. Is currently under follow-up or has been afebrile for less than 72 hours after completion of a follow-up period. 4. The treating healthcare worker's decision is to send the patient home following initial assessment.
Where it's running
-
Laos-Oxford-Mahosot Wellcome Trust Research Unit
Vientiane, Laos Recruiting -
Shoklo Malaria Research Unit
Mae Sot, Changwat Tak, Thailand Recruiting -
Chiangrai Clinical Research Unit (CCRU)
Chiang Rai, Thailand Recruiting -
Building Resources Across Communities (BRAC)
Dhaka, Bangladesh Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yoel Lubell, Prof. — Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
- Study coordinator: Yoel Lubell, Prof.
- Email: yoel@tropmedres.ac
- Phone: +66-857201350
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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PCV-20 vaccination for adults during a short febrile illness
This test sees if giving the PCV-20 pneumococcal vaccine to adults hospitalized with a short, non-severe fever produces the same immune response and safety as giving it after the fever has resolved.
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Identifying pathogens in febrile patients using gene expression
This study is trying to find out if looking at gene responses in feverish patients can help doctors quickly tell if they have enteric fever or another infection, especially in places with limited resources.
-
Improving care and surveillance of fevers in the DRC
This project tracked people with recent fevers at two hospitals in the DRC to see what causes their fevers, how they are treated, and whether biomarkers like CRP relate to outcomes and antibiotic use.
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New care guideline for infants 60 days and younger with fever in Sweden
This project will test a new guideline to see if infants 60 days or younger with fever can safely avoid many invasive tests, hospital stays, and broad antibiotics compared with usual care.
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Causes of unexplained fevers in Nepal (DEFINe)
This project will test whether adding cultures and ELISA blood tests can find the causes of fever and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in adults admitted with 3–21 day unexplained fevers in Nepal.
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Understanding vaccination attitudes during mild fever
This study looks at how healthcare workers and the general public feel about getting vaccinated when they have a mild fever to see what might help or stop them from getting vaccinated in those situations.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.