In a proof-of-principle study, researchers demonstrated that a two-gene RNA signature can distinguish bacterial from viral infections in blood samples from children, paving the way to a rapid point-of-care test that could do the same in a clinic.

Previous studies have shown that children with bacterial and viral infection can be distinguished by their blood host RNA signature.

Lead author Dr Michael Levin of the UK’s Imperial College London said the test detects gene activation through changes in pH, with the readout being electrical signals that can be read on a mobile phone or computer.

This makes detection “both rapid, and potentially very cheap,” he said.