Accuracy of Metagenomic Blood Sampling to Identify Pathogen in Infective Endocarditis Patients

Launched by QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON · Mar 7, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new method called metagenomics to identify the bacteria causing infective endocarditis (IE), an infection that affects the heart. Traditionally, doctors use blood cultures to grow bacteria from blood samples, which can take several days. During this waiting period, patients may receive more generic and potentially harsher antibiotics. The trial aims to see if metagenomics, which analyzes bacterial DNA from blood, can quickly and accurately identify the infection, allowing for faster and more effective treatment.

To participate in this study, you need to be over 18 years old and have been referred to a specialized heart team for possible or confirmed infective endocarditis. If you are currently receiving intravenous antibiotics for more than seven days, you won't be eligible. As a participant, you can expect to provide a blood sample for testing and be monitored closely by the research team. Overall, this trial is important because it could lead to better treatments for a serious heart infection by helping doctors choose the right antibiotics more quickly.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with possible or confirmed IE referred to BHC Endocarditis MDT
• • Age \>18
• • Able and willing to give informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients whose diagnosis of endocarditis is "rejected" by the MDT. If this occurs after entry to the study samples will be discarded and the patient informed.
• • Patients who have been treated with intravenous antibiotics for more than 7 days at the time of study entry.