New blood test aims to detect hidden infections in vulnerable patients
NCT ID NCT07110636
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing whether a blood test called Karius Spectrum can help doctors find infections faster in adults with weakened immune systems (e.g., organ transplant recipients, cancer patients). The test looks for DNA from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites in the blood. Researchers will compare the time to diagnosis and treatment between patients who get the test plus usual care and those who get usual care alone. The goal is to see if this test leads to quicker, more targeted treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Karius Spectrum plasma test (blood test that detects DNA from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this test could help doctors identify infections faster and start the right treatment sooner in immunocompromised patients, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.
- What could go wrong
- This is a diagnostic study, not a treatment trial. The test may not always find the cause of infection, and faster diagnosis does not guarantee better outcomes. Results may not apply to all patient groups.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 2,000 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Basket Protocol\* All participants must meet inclusion 1. Age ≥18 2. Included in one of the following immunocompromised groups: Solid organ transplant recipient (SOT) on chronic immunosuppression; Diagnosed with hematologic malignancy (HM) and/or recipient of a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT); Diagnosed with a solid tumor and on specific types of active treatment; Recipient of drugs or novel biologics causing chronic immunosuppression; Diagnosed with an HIV infection; Diagnosed with inborn errors of immunity 3. Treating provider suspects infection and plans to obtain usual care diagnostic testing for the suspected infection (i.e., microbiologic testing) 4. Willing to provide research samples via blood draw 5. Willing and able to provide informed consent 6. Presenting for evaluation in the outpatient setting (includes telehealth) \*For Participants enrolled in Sub-Protocol A- Solid Organ Transplant\* All Sub-Protocol A subjects must meet the following: <!-- --> 1. Solid organ transplant recipient on transplant immunosuppression Non-lung recipients must meet one or more of the following characteristics: \<1 year from transplant; Augmented immunosuppression for suspected or confirmed rejection within the last 6 months; Confirmed systemic infection in last 6 months 2. Suspected infection defined by one or more of the syndromes: Cardiac; Lower Respiratory; Gastrointestinal / Hepatobiliary; Genitourinary; Neurologic / Ophthalmologic; Skin / Soft tissue / musculoskeletal; Not Otherwise Specified * For Participants enrolled in Sub-Protocol B- Hematological Malignancies and Transplant\* All Sub-Protocol B subjects must meet the following: 1. Is included in at least one of the following groups: Hematologic malignancy (leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoma, multiple myeloma) and at least one of the following: Received chemotherapy or other systemic anti-cancer therapy associated with immunosuppressive effects within 90 days (e.g., monoclonal antibodies associated with B-cell or plasma cell depletion, bi-specific t-cell engagers, BTK inhibitors, BCL-2 inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors) within the last 90 days Note: Checkpoint inhibitors are not included unless given in combination with an immunosuppressive agent; Relapsed disease with chemotherapy anticipated in 60 days; ANC \<500 within the last 72 hours; Hypogammaglobulinemia IgG \<400 within the last 30 days; Allogeneic stem cell transplant for any clinical indication and at least one of the following: Within 1-year post-transplant; On systemic immunosuppressive therapy for GVHD treatment or prophylaxis; Autologous stem cell transplant for hematologic malignancy and at least one of the following: Within 6 months post-transplant; ANC \<500 within the last 72 hours; B cell and plasma cell targeted CAR-T therapy for hematologic malignancy and at least one of the following: Within 6 months of CAR-T cell infusion; CD4 T-cell \<200 within the last 30 days; IgG \< 400 within the last 30 days; ANC \<500 within the last 72 hours; On systemic immunosuppressive therapy for CRS/ICANS 2. Suspected infection defined by one or more of the syndromes: Cardiac; Lower Respiratory; Gastrointestinal / Hepatobiliary; Genitourinary; Neurologic / Ophthalmologic; Skin / Soft tissue / musculoskeletal; Not Otherwise Specified Exclusion Criteria: * Basket Protocol\* All participants must not meet the following: 1. Active symptoms are likely attributed to non-infectious causes. 2. Any other clinically significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the treating provider, makes participation undesirable, including but not limited to severe psychiatric illness, etc. \*For Participants enrolled in Sub-Protocol A- Solid Organ Transplant\* All Sub-Protocol A subjects must not meet the following: <!-- --> 1. Patients who have been previously evaluated (including via telehealth) for the same clinical signs and symptoms at this institution and pathogen-directed usual care (UC), diagnostic testing was ordered during that prior encounter, with one or more diagnostic test results still pending. 2. Patients with a suspected or confirmed primary upper respiratory infection (e.g., viral pharyngitis, sinusitis, or uncomplicated bronchitis) unless there is clinical suspicion of a concurrent lower respiratory or systemic infection requiring further diagnostic evaluation. * For Participants enrolled in Sub-Protocol B- Hematological Malignancies and Transplant\* All Sub-Protocol B subjects must not meet the following: 1. Patients that have been previously evaluated (including via telehealth) for the same clinical signs and symptoms at this institution and pathogen-directed usual care (UC) diagnostic testing was ordered during that prior encounter with one or more diagnostic tests results still pending. 2. Patients with a suspected or confirmed primary upper respiratory infection (e.g., viral pharyngitis, sinusitis, or uncomplicated bronchitis) unless there is clinical suspicion of a concurrent lower respiratory or systemic infection requiring further diagnostic evaluation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
6 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Montefiore Medical Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10467, United States
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Ochsner Medical Center
RECRUITINGNew Orleans, Louisiana, 70121, United States
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University of California San Francisco
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94143, United States
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University of Nebraska Medical Center
RECRUITINGOmaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a simple blood test predict sepsis two days early?
- A simple blood test may spot severe bacterial infections faster in the ER
- Switching stomach drugs after transplant may tame a deadly immune attack
- Can telemedicine bring IV antibiotics home?
- Blood test may forecast recovery in elderly infection patients
- Aging in place: could mobile teams keep nursing home residents out of the hospital?