Active clinical trials for "Infections"

To further characterize the immune responses induced after an influenza vaccination performed either via the ID or the IM routes in two clearly distinct populations. Objectives: To describe the immune response per age group and vaccine group after vaccination. To describe the safety of the vaccines per age group and per vaccine group after vaccination.

Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally in children less than 5 years of age. Prolonged diarrhea, recurrent infections and growth failure in developing countries are usually a consequence of micronutrient deficiencies including zinc. The primary aims of the proposed study are to evaluate the effect of the use of multiple micronutrient sprinkles including zinc on compliance of supplement use and the incidence of recurrent diarrheal and respiratory illnesses. The proposed study will be conducted at the Fima Lifshitz Metabolic Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal Da Bahia, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil over a period of 18 months. This is a double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving the use of 2 types of micronutrient sprinkles in a group of 120 children who attend a day care center in Salvador, Bahia. They will be randomized into 2 groups of 60 children each. The intervention group will receive sprinkles containing zinc while the control group will receive micronutrient sprinkles without zinc. The primary outcome variables of interest are zinc status, stool zinc losses and diarrhea duration. Both groups of infants will be monitored at monthly intervals for an initial duration of 180 days for zinc status, diarrhea episodes, respiratory illness and growth. This study will allow for the establishment of a cohort of children who will be monitored in a micronutrient supplementation trial using sprinkles.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), the most common cause of genital herpes, increases a woman's risk of HIV acquisition from 3-6 fold, perhaps because HSV2-infected women have increased numbers of HIV "target cells" (CD4 T cells and dendritic cells) in the cervical mucosa. However, recent clinical trials showed no impact of HSV2 suppression on HIV acquisition rates. The reasons for this negative result are unclear. The investigators propose to examine the effect of valacyclovir (a widely used herpes medication) treatment on cervical immunology and HIV target cells in the cervix. The study will take the form of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Primary endpoints will be (1) the number of CD4 T cells on a cervical cytobrush and (2) the number of immature dendritic cells per cervical cytobrush.

Most cases of infection of clean-contaminated wounds (wounds without gross spillage of organisms from the gastrointestinal tract) are thought to originate from the skin. Therefore, it is conceivable that application of an optimal antiseptic agent can reduce the rate of surgical wound infections. This trial is to compare the impact of disinfecting the skin with Chloraprep (2%chlorhexidine and 70% isopropyl alcohol) vs. Betadine on the rates of infection of clean-contaminated surgical wounds. The study will also assess the occurrence of adverse effects on the skin from either antiseptic agent and the cost-savings associated with the use of Chloraprep vs Betadine.

The University of Washington has received funding to conduct a proof-of-concept trial to assess the impact of suppression of genital herpes on HIV infectiousness. This study (the Partners in Prevention Study) will enroll HIV discordant heterosexual couples in which the HIV-infected partner is co-infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) to test the efficacy of twice daily (bid) acyclovir (400 mg) given to the HIV-infected partner to prevent transmission to his/her HIV negative partner(s). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial will provide evidence for the efficacy of HSV-2 suppression with daily acyclovir on HIV transmission among HIV-discordant couples among whom the HIV-positive partner is also HSV-2 seropositive with CD4 >250. The researchers hypothesis is that, by decreasing the frequency and amount of genital HIV shedding, standard doses of daily acyclovir 400 mg bid will reduce the rate of HIV transmission by 50% in HIV-discordant couples among whom the HIV-infected partner is HSV-2 positive. Under the study protocol version 4.1.1, 3000 HIV-discordant heterosexual couples in which the HIV-positive partner is HSV-2 positive and has a CD4 count >250 will be recruited; participants will be followed for up to 2 years. A 4% per year HIV incidence in the placebo arm is assumed. The first study site began enrolling participants on 17 November 2005. As of September 2006, 14 sites in Eastern and Southern Africa had participated in recruiting the 2300 HIV-discordant couples enrolled to date.

Given the potential of skin cleansing with chlorhexidine as a safe, feasible, and cost-effective intervention for reducing neonatal death in developing country settings, this study follows a trial already underway in Nepal to test the impact of a single cleansing of the skin with baby wipes cotaining chlorahexidine.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the gentamicin-collagen sponge is safe and effective for preventing surgical wound infections in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

A community based trial that seeks to address the effect of umbilical cord cleansing using 4.0% chlorhexidine cleansing solution

This phase IIb, two-arm, double-blinded, randomised, placebo controlled trial comparing 1% Tenofovir gel with a placebo gel is an expanded safety and effectiveness trial involving 900 young women at risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection. Participants will be provided with a supply of single-use, pre-filled applicators according to their randomisation. While in the study, participants will be asked to apply a first dose of the assigned study gel within 12 hours prior to coitus and insert a second dose as soon as possible within 12 hours after coitus. All participants will receive HIV risk reduction counselling, condoms, and syndromic treatment of sexually transmitted infections, if required.

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety of and immune response to an experimental DNA HIV vaccine followed by boosting with either an experimental adenoviral vector HIV vaccine of serotype 5 or 35 in HIV uninfected adults. This study will also determine the safety of and immune response to an adenoviral vector HIV vaccine of serotype 5 followed by a booster of an adenoviral vector of serotype 35, or vice versa, in HIV uninfected adults.