Active clinical trials for "Immune System Diseases"

This study aims to evaluate the effects of SMC (Seasonal malaria chemoprevention) with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) and Amodiaquine (AQ) on the evolution of anti-malarial immunity of children and their susceptibility to malarial infection. This is a cross-sectional study on children aged 6 to 59 months with/without SMC in two villages in northern Benin. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as repeated blood samples will be collected from 440 children (before, during and after treatment). Samples will be analyzed using a Luminex assay to investigate antibody responses to MSP (merozoite surface protein) , Glurp (Glutamate-Rich Protein) and a panel of PfEMP1. qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) will be used to detect the prevalence of malaria at this period and parasites infecting children will be characterize during the follow up.

The purpose of this project is to increase the serum immunological defenses of premature infants less then 32 weeks of gestation by administrating colostrum in the oropharyngeal mucosa versus placebo

The pathogenic role of type I interferons (IFNs) in the development of different autoimmune diseases has been extensively described in the literature. Since plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the main source of type I IFNs, there is evidence of the involvement of pDCs in autoimmune diseases. The CD303 surface protein (also called BDCA-2) is specifically expressed by the pDCs. The hypothesis leading to the realization of this study is to observe, in vitro, an inhibition of the secretion of the type I IFNs by pDCs in the peripheral blood in patients with autoimmune disease, thanks to the action of the anti-CD303 antibody Developed by the LFB Group, which could reduce the inflammatory response and improve patients with autoimmune disease

SARS-CoV-2 outbreak causes a spectrum of clinical patterns that varies from asymptomatic infection to mildly symptomatic manifestations and more-severe forms that need intensive care. Until now, the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection has been poorly reported to help decision for immune modulation therapies. As a consequence, trials have been designed to test both anti-inflammatory molecules as steroids or anti-bodies against IL-6, and others proposing to "boost" immunity with interferon beta based on similar inclusion criteria. The immune response to infective agents including viruses may have a complex time evolution with early and late phases corresponding to different patterns, oscillating between pro-inflammation and immune-depression. The potential window to improve outcome in COVID-19 by therapeutic intervention aimed at a fine tuning between immune toxicity and immunodepression requires a longitudinal assessment during the course of illness, especially for the patients who develop acute respiratory failure. Immune monitoring of both innate and adaptive immunity would then be essential to appropriately design clinical trials. The whole blood cells evaluation was recorded according to the time intervals between the onset of symptoms and the sampling after ICU admission. Patients' care was standardized, especially with regard to ventilation, sedation, and antimicrobial treatment. In this study the investigators prospectively perform a longitudinal study of both innate and adaptive immunity on patients admitted to ICU for an COVID-19 related acute respiratory failure. The data will be analyzed in reference to the onset of initial symptoms and also to the admission in ICU. The primary end point is the evolution of the characterization of monocytes and their subsets in term of number and expression of HLA-DR. A similar approach is used for lymphocytes and their subtypes with in addition, an ex vivo testing of their capabilities to be stimulated by SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins in term of TNFalpha, INFgamma, and IL1beta production. The secondary end-point was to test the association with outcomes and other non-specific markers of inflammation as CRP (C reactive protein), PCT (procalcitonin), DDimers and ferritin.

This study is being done to evaluate the zoster vaccine response in the nursing home elderly (80 years or older). As the immune system ages, the response to vaccines is not always as strong as in younger people. Previous zoster vaccine studies have excluded nursing home residents so the vaccine effect in this population is not known. Furthermore, the immune and genetic reasons as to why the vaccine works well in some people but not in others are also unknown. The goal of this study is to evaluate why some immune systems respond well to the vaccine and why others do not.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them, often involving hallucinations or delusions. Psychosis and schizophrenia are common disorders which predominantly affect younger adults. Recently, the investigators discovered that 5-10% of people with psychosis have antibodies in the blood that are capable of targeting the surface of brain cells, specific to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor or voltage gated potassium channel complex, which the investigators believe may be causing the problem. Those positive for antibodies may have a problem with their immune system and this may prevent their brain from working normally. This trial aims to test the feasibility of removing or reducing the antibodies in patients' blood, using immunotherapy, and see if this improves symptoms of psychosis. Immunotherapy in this feasibility study will involve giving all patients steroid tablets and half of them will also receive a drug called "intravenous immunoglobulin" whereas the other half will have a procedure called "plasma exchange". The feasibility study is designed to identify which method of immunotherapy is most suitable for use in this patient population. Results from this will inform on the methodology used for a proposed larger randomised control trial.

Background: For every CHI research study, patients must fulfill a list of criteria, based primarily on their medical condition. To determine whether a patient meets these eligibility criteria to participate in a research protocol, researchers must perform a series of diagnostic tests and procedures. These evaluations are designed to evaluate a participant s general medical condition (i.e., blood tests, function of certain organs such as the lungs, heart, liver, or kidneys), and to confirm a diagnosis or ensure that a healthy volunteer is in good condition. They maximize the safety for the patients and healthy volunteers at CHI. Objective: - To determine the eligibility of patients and healthy volunteers for active CHI research protocols. Eligibility: The procedures included in this protocol will determine eligibility for active CHI research protocols. Both healthy volunteers and patients will be evaluated. Design: Required tests and procedures for various research studies may include the following: history and physical examination, blood and urine tests, lung and heart function tests (echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, stress test), imaging studies (X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), and tissue collection. Participants will be asked to undergo tests only for the study or studies for which they are being considered. The research team will provide further information on any additional tests that may be required. After all eligibility assessments are complete, participants may be offered participation in one or more CHI research protocols or referred back to a home physician.

The purpose of this study is to determine upon administering GABA orally to a person how it is absorbed, distributed, as well as the drug's pharmacological effects on the body such as glucose levels, serum C-peptide and/or insulin levels (referred to as pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics). We will conduct experiments in normal subjects to address these questions.

In this observational study, the investigators evaluated the Treg number and function in a population of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). In particular, the investigators considered the relationship of Treg cell status with the different HD modalities and clinical parameters.

As the global availability of vaccines increases, and reaches areas disproportionately affected by arsenic and malnutrition, resolving questions about potential environmental and biologic barriers to maternal immunization has become increasingly urgent. It is not known whether arsenic, a known developmental toxicant, can alter maternal immune responses to vaccination and whether exposure to arsenic during pregnancy can impair the transfer of maternal vaccine-induced antibody to the newborn. Moreover, factors known to affect arsenic metabolism and toxicity outcomes, particularly micronutrients critical in one-carbon metabolism, have not been evaluated in studies of arsenic immunotoxicity and vaccine-induced protection in mothers and their newborns. The objective in this study is to investigate whether maternal arsenic exposure and one-carbon metabolism micronutrient deficiencies alter maternal and newborn measures of vaccine-induced protection, respiratory morbidity, and systemic immune function following influenza vaccination during pregnancy.