Tom Fowler
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View article: Whole genome sequence meta-analyses reveal common and rare genetic associations with critical COVID-19
Whole genome sequence meta-analyses reveal common and rare genetic associations with critical COVID-19 Open
In susceptible patients, COVID-19 causes life-threatening disease driven by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. We have previously shown that multiple common host genetic variants are significantly associated with susceptibility to c…
View article: Climate change and diagnostic samples - Opening Pandora's (post) box
Climate change and diagnostic samples - Opening Pandora's (post) box Open
The changing climate and evolving models of healthcare delivery-particularly the move toward near-patient and home-based diagnostics-require a rethinking of how we assure the quality and reliability of biological samples in transit. Existi…
View article: Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow device sensitivity: a comparison of systematic laboratory assessments with manufacturer-reported sensitivity
Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow device sensitivity: a comparison of systematic laboratory assessments with manufacturer-reported sensitivity Open
This study was funded by UK Department of Health and Social Care; UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England and the National Health Service Test and Trace); and the University of Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.
View article: Laboratory evaluation of 185 commercial assays for detecting SARS-CoV-2: the UK response for mass testing
Laboratory evaluation of 185 commercial assays for detecting SARS-CoV-2: the UK response for mass testing Open
This study was funded by UK Department of Health and Social Care (UKHSA); UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England and the National Health Service Test and Trace); and the University of OxfordNIHRBiomedical Research Centre.
View article: Social behaviours and contact patterns across the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 winter seasons in the UK, and associations with symptoms
Social behaviours and contact patterns across the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 winter seasons in the UK, and associations with symptoms Open
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a large impact on social mixing in the UK. This study analysed data from the Office for National Statistics Coronavirus Infection Survey to examine changes in contact patterns and self-reported symptoms through …
View article: VIVALDI-CT shaping care home COVID-19 testing policy: A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of asymptomatic testing compared to standard care in care home staff
VIVALDI-CT shaping care home COVID-19 testing policy: A pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of asymptomatic testing compared to standard care in care home staff Open
Background Non-pharmaceutical interventions were used widely in care homes for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there have been few randomised trials to support policy decisions. We aimed to evaluate the effect of biweekly as…
View article: A decision-making model for public health authorities in circumstances of potentially high public risk
A decision-making model for public health authorities in circumstances of potentially high public risk Open
Background An expert multidisciplinary panel was commissioned by a UK Health Security Agency led incident management team (IMT) to support decision making in the case of an individual with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. The behav…
View article: WITHDRAWN: Redefining the timing and circumstances of cat domestication, their dispersal trajectories, and the extirpation of European wildcats
WITHDRAWN: Redefining the timing and circumstances of cat domestication, their dispersal trajectories, and the extirpation of European wildcats Open
Withdrawal Statement The authors have withdrawn this manuscript as we carry out reanalysis and reinterpretation of our results. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any question…
View article: Key SARS-CoV-2 testing strategies implemented in the UK: rationale and impact
Key SARS-CoV-2 testing strategies implemented in the UK: rationale and impact Open
View article: Acceptability of self-sampling and self-testing for infections: a rapid systematic review on public users’ views
Acceptability of self-sampling and self-testing for infections: a rapid systematic review on public users’ views Open
View article: Daily SARS-CoV-2 testing after travel-related close contact notifications during elite sporting events hosted in the UK: a longitudinal study
Daily SARS-CoV-2 testing after travel-related close contact notifications during elite sporting events hosted in the UK: a longitudinal study Open
Isolation requirements for COVID-19 close contacts risked discouraging elite athletes and support staff from travelling to international sports events hosted in the UK during 2021. Objectives The purpose of this study, in collaboration wit…
View article: The impact of a secondary, rare, non-pathogenic PKD1 variant on disease progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
The impact of a secondary, rare, non-pathogenic PKD1 variant on disease progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease Open
View article: Multiplex lateral flow test sensitivity and specificity in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients in a UK emergency department
Multiplex lateral flow test sensitivity and specificity in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients in a UK emergency department Open
Background Rapid identification of individuals with acute respiratory infections is crucial for preventing nosocomial infections. For rapid diagnosis, especially in EDs, lateral flow devices (LFDs) are a convenient, inexpensive option with…
View article: Effectiveness and user experience of nose and throat swabbing techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection: results from the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme
Effectiveness and user experience of nose and throat swabbing techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection: results from the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme Open
View article: National Genomic Research Library
National Genomic Research Library Open
The National Genomic Research Library (NGRL) is a secure database and bioresource managed by Genomics England in partnership with the NHS. The NGRL contains participants’ health data collected by the NHS as part of their care, along with s…
View article: Mass testing for discovery and control of COVID-19 outbreaks in adult social care: an observational study and cost-effectiveness analysis of 14 805 care homes in England
Mass testing for discovery and control of COVID-19 outbreaks in adult social care: an observational study and cost-effectiveness analysis of 14 805 care homes in England Open
Introduction We retrospectively evaluated the impact of COVID-19 testing among residents and staff in social care homes in England. Methods We obtained 80 million reported PCR and lateral flow device (LFD) test results, from 14 805 care ho…
View article: Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently and nested viral culture study
Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently and nested viral culture study Open
View article: Comparative evaluation of swabbing sites for Omicron variant detection in PCR testing
Comparative evaluation of swabbing sites for Omicron variant detection in PCR testing Open
Combined nose and throat swabbing remains the most effective method for SARS-CoV-2 detection. If a single swab is used, a throat swab has a higher sensitivity than nose swabs, although VC in the throat decreases faster in later infection s…
View article: COVID-19 testing and reporting behaviours in England across different sociodemographic groups: a population-based study using testing data and data from community prevalence surveillance surveys
COVID-19 testing and reporting behaviours in England across different sociodemographic groups: a population-based study using testing data and data from community prevalence surveillance surveys Open
View article: Modelling multiplex testing for outbreak control
Modelling multiplex testing for outbreak control Open
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and lateral flow device (LFD) tests were frequently deployed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Many of these tests were singleplex, and only tested for the presence of a s…
View article: Modelling multiplex testing for outbreak Control
Modelling multiplex testing for outbreak Control Open
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and lateral flow device (LFD) tests were frequently deployed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Many of these tests were singleplex, and only tested for the presence of a s…
View article: Double testing with lateral flow antigen test devices for COVID-19: does a second test in quick succession add value?
Double testing with lateral flow antigen test devices for COVID-19: does a second test in quick succession add value? Open
LFD tests were highly reproducible even when they were performed by untrained users following only written instructions and without supervision. While performing two LFD tests of the same type in quick succession marginally increased sensi…
View article: Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently
Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently Open
Background Covid-19 healthcare worker testing, isolation and quarantine policies had to balance risks to patients from the virus and from staff absence. The emergence of the Omicron variant led to dangerous levels of key-worker absence glo…
View article: Self-swabbing versus assisted swabbing for viral detection by qRT-PCR: the experience from SARS-CoV-2 based on a meta-analysis of six prospectively designed evaluations conducted in a UK setting
Self-swabbing versus assisted swabbing for viral detection by qRT-PCR: the experience from SARS-CoV-2 based on a meta-analysis of six prospectively designed evaluations conducted in a UK setting Open
Purpose In April 2020, the UK Government implemented NHS Test and Trace to provide SARS-CoV-2 quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) testing for the public, with nose-and-throat swabbing for samples performe…
View article: Mass testing for discovery and control of COVID-19 outbreaks in adult social care: an observational study and cost-effectiveness analysis of 14,805 care homes in England
Mass testing for discovery and control of COVID-19 outbreaks in adult social care: an observational study and cost-effectiveness analysis of 14,805 care homes in England Open
Introduction We retrospectively evaluated the impact of COVID-19 testing among residents and staff in social care homes in England. Methods We obtained 80 million reported polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and lateral flow device (LFD) test …
View article: Assessing the impact of testing for COVID-19 using lateral flow devices in NHS acute trusts in England
Assessing the impact of testing for COVID-19 using lateral flow devices in NHS acute trusts in England Open
Background Twice-weekly lateral flow device (LFD) testing was introduced for routine asymptomatic testing of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the National Health Service (NHS) in England in November 2020, with the primary aim of reducing nosoc…
View article: An evaluation of the national testing response during the COVID-19 pandemic in England: a multistage mixed-methods study protocol
An evaluation of the national testing response during the COVID-19 pandemic in England: a multistage mixed-methods study protocol Open
Introduction In 2020, the UK government established a large-scale testing programme to rapidly identify individuals in England who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and had COVID-19. This comprised part of the UK government’s COVID-19 response…
View article: Nanopore sequencing of influenza A and B in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, 2022–23
Nanopore sequencing of influenza A and B in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, 2022–23 Open
View article: Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently
Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently Open
Background Covid-19 healthcare worker testing, isolation and quarantine policies had to balance risks to patients from the virus and from staff absence. The emergence of the Omicron variant led to dangerous levels of key-worker absence glo…
View article: Faster detection of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases among care home staff in England through the combination of SARS-CoV-2 testing technologies
Faster detection of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases among care home staff in England through the combination of SARS-CoV-2 testing technologies Open