# Rapid diagnostic tests for adenovirus conjunctivitis in children: An epidemiologic, clinical, and cost-effectiveness evaluation

> **NIH NIH K23** · DENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITAL AUTHORITY · 2021 · $152,399

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Acute infectious conjunctivitis is one of the most common pediatric infections worldwide, however, the
microbial causes of this infection are poorly understood. Though it has been estimated that up to 90% of
conjunctivitis in children is viral in origin, over 80% of children with acute conjunctivitis are prescribed an
ophthalmic antibiotic. This is a concern because incidence of antimicrobial resistant conjunctivitis is increasing,
8% of children have an adverse reaction to ophthalmic antibiotics, and prescription of ophthalmic antibiotics
results in a large health care and social economic burden. Recently, an FDA approved point-of-care rapid
antigen detection test for adenovirus conjunctivitis has become available. The test is $10.50, non-invasive, and
can be completed in less than 15 minutes in the clinic setting. Implementation of this test may substantially
reduce the use of ophthalmic antibiotics in children. The current utility of this test is limited, however, because:
(1) data evaluating viral and bacterial causes of conjunctivitis in this age group are lacking; (2) rates of
bacterial and viral concurrent infections are unknown; (3) the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the rapid point
of care adenovirus test in children has not been assessed; and (4) cost effectiveness analysis for wide spread
implementation of the test in pediatric settings has not been conducted. This proposal aims to meet the critical
need to improve clinical care for children with conjunctivitis by (1) determining the viral and bacterial causes of
conjunctivitis children; (2) clinically validating a rapid point of care adenovirus conjunctivitis test in children; and
(3) estimating the percent reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and cost-effectiveness of
implementation of rapid adenovirus conjunctivitis diagnostic tests across health care systems. This project is
the culmination of this candidate’s interest and experience in the validation and use of rapid infectious disease
diagnostic tests to improve clinical care for children. The objective of this career development award is to
develop this candidate into an independent principal investigator in clinical and translational research with
expertise in the implementation and evaluation of infectious disease diagnostics in pediatrics. Mentorship,
didactic coursework, seminars, and completion of the proposed study will address specific training needs of the
investigator including training in the design and conduct of large-scale, multi-center clinical trials, advanced
biostatistical analysis, and cost-effectiveness analysis. The candidate has assembled a multidisciplinary team
of mentors and advisors with extensive research experience and topical expertise in the above realms to
ensure her success in achieving the stated specific aims and career goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163064
- **Project number:** 5K23HD099925-03
- **Recipient organization:** DENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Holly Frost
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $152,399
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-10 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163064

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163064, Rapid diagnostic tests for adenovirus conjunctivitis in children: An epidemiologic, clinical, and cost-effectiveness evaluation (5K23HD099925-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163064. Licensed CC0.

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