Thousands of children with life-threatening infections could be saved thanks to North East medics
Newcastle experts are taking part in a mission to develop a rapid diagnosis for bacterial infections in children
Katie Dickinson
Dr Marieke Emonts-le Clercq
A pioneering North East project could help save the lives of thousands children with potentially fatal bacterial infections by getting them diagnosed sooner.
Newcastle's childhood experts are working to develop a rapid diagnosis for life-threatening bacterial infections in young people.
Doctors and scientists at the Great North Children's Hospital say they are hopeful recent developments in research will lead to a simple, rapid two hour blood test which can determine whether a feverish child has a common virus or life-threatening bacterial infection such as meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia.
The work is part of a £14m international EU-funded mission.
Dr Marieke Emonts–le Clercq, consultant paediatrician and honorary senior clinical lecturer at Newcastle University, says the early symptom of most infections is a high temperature reaching to feverish levels. The difficulty is distinguishing between viruses and bacteria - but this is vitally important.
There is currently no way of rapidly diagnosing whether it is due to a viral or bacterial infection.
Dr Marieke Emonts-le Clercq (right)
Dr Emonts said: "Fever is one of the most common reasons we see children brought into our hospital. In fact around 25% presenting to the RVI's Children's Emergency Department do so for fever.
"Thankfully the majority of children will simply have a viral infection which can be easily treated to bring the temperature down.
"However, we know from intelligence already gathered that one out of every 100 children we see will have a bacterial infection which if not treated immediately, can become fatal."
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Dr Emonts continued: "Through this major international collaboration we have already been able to identify two genes, one of which becomes activated by the child's immune system when they have a bacterial infection, and the other when they have a viral infection.
"If we can test the condition of these genes rapidly through a blood test, we can be confident of getting the right treatment started immediately.
"Patient inclusion will start soon in our hospital so parents and their children attending A&E might be asked if they are willing to take part in this exciting research project."
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Professor Helen Foster, professor of paediatric rheumatology at Newcastle University, said: "Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition and the ability to identify those children who have life threatening sepsis from the myriad of other causes of fever, will be a great advance in paediatrics."
This study is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and is part of the Newcastle Academic Health Partners, a collaboration involving Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle University, and Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation.
To assist in funding these activities contact the Charitable Funds Office on 0191 213 7235 or email Charity.Matters@nuth.nhs.u
Royal Victoria Infirmary Newcastle
Great North Children's Hospital
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