Clinical validation trial of a diagnostic for Ebola Zaire antigen detection: Design rationale and challenges to implementation.

This article describes a study designed to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the ReEBOVTM Rapid Diagnostic Test using venous whole blood and capillary blood obtained via fingerprick. We present the scientific and clinical rationale for the decisions made in the design of a diagnostic validation study to be conducted in an outbreak setting. The multi-site strategy greatly complicated implementation. In addition, a decrease in cases in one geographic area along with a concomitant increase in other areas made site selection challenging. Initiation of clinical trials during rapidly evolving outbreaks requires significant cooperation on a national level between research teams implementing studies and clinical care providers. Coordination and streamlining of approval process are essential if trials are to be implemented in a timely fashion. PMID: 26768566 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Clinical Trials - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Clin Trials Source Type: research