
Anal Cytology Collection Procedures in Predicting High-Grade Anal Dysplasia in Men Who Have Sex...
Anal CarcinomaHIV Infection1 moreThis clinical trial compares three anal cytology collection procedures (collected at a single visit) in men who have sex with men (MSM). It also compares two different tests for human papilloma virus, the virus that causes high grade anal dysplasia, which is thought to occur before anal cancer. This study may help doctors develop better screening for high-grade anal dysplasia in MSM in order to identify those who need to return for additional screening and treatment.

Viral Infections in Healthy and Immunocompromised Hosts
Anogenital HerpesCOVID-191 moreBackground: - Viral infections are an important cause of illness and death in hospitalized patients as well as outpatients. New strains of viruses may appear and infect both healthy people and those with weak immune systems. A better understanding of these new virus strains (such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19) may help to control and prevent these infections. In particular, some viral infections that are less problematic in healthy persons can be life threatening in persons with weak immune systems, and viruses may be able to evolve more rapidly in persons with weak immune systems and therefore develop resistance to existing treatments. Researchers are interested in collecting samples and information from otherwise healthy persons or persons with weak immune systems to study the effects of viruses and their development. Objectives: - To collect samples and data from individuals who have been exposed to or have contracted viral infections. Eligibility: Individuals of all ages who have been diagnosed with a viral infection are suspected to have a viral infection, or have been in close contact with someone with a suspected or actual viral infection that is of interest to investigators in the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases. Healthy persons and persons with weak immune systems (immunocompromised individuals) are eligible to participate. Design: Participants will be pre-screened to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria for the trial. If eligible, evaluation may include a medical chart review, a history and physical examination, review of clinical reports from outside hospitals and laboratories, and review of tissue biopsies. Study procedures may include collection of blood, urine, saliva, nasal fluid sampling, throat swabs, stool, and genital swabs. For participants who have specimens collected as part of their medical care (e.g. wound swabs, spinal tap, bronchoscopy, liver biopsy etc.), researchers may use leftover specimens from the clinical laboratory for testing. Specimens may be collected up to 4 times per week during the first 2 weeks after enrollment, and then as many as 2 times per week for up to 2 years. Some participants may be asked to continue providing specimens if there is concern for relapse or recurrence of the infection. Treatment is not offered under this study.

Melbourne Infant Study - Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) for Allergy & Infection Reduction
AllergyEczema1 moreTo determine if BCG immunisation at birth, compared to no BCG immunisation, leads to a reduction in measures of allergy and infection in the first 12 months of life. To evaluate the immunological mechanisms underlying the non-specific effects of BCG by comparing markers of immunity between the BCG and non-BCG groups.

Clinical and Immunologic Monitoring of Patients With Known or Suspected HIV Infection
HIVThis study will investigate HIV infection and associated conditions by monitoring infected patients. The study will also serve as a means for recruiting HIV-infected individuals to NIAIDs ongoing clinical and laboratory studies and supporting the institute s infectious disease training program by providing Infectious Disease fellows with ongoing training in the management of HIV infection. People 18 years of age and older with suspected or confirmed HIV infection who live in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area may be eligible for this study. Physician referral is required. Participants come to the NIH Clinical Center a minimum of once every 3 to 4 months for evaluation with a physical examination; blood tests for research purposes, safety, immune status and viral load; and response to any treatment they may be receiving. Other procedures, such as a biopsy, are done only as needed for standard medical practice, and informed consent is obtained before any such procedure is done. Treatment offered is consistent with standard medical practice; no experimental treatments are offered under this protocol.

Clinical Trials of Effects of Time Restricted Eating on Health Parameters in Adults
Time Restricted FeedingOverweight and Obesity7 moreIn a randomized controlled trial we will research the effect of calorie restriction with early and mid-day time-restricted eating (TRE) and daily calorie restriction on weight loss and human health parameters. Participants will be divided into three groups: early time-restriction group (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), mid-day restriction group (1:00 PM to 9:00 PM) and daily calorie restriction group (8:00 AM to 9:00 PM). Participants will follow dietary strategy with three planned meals and calorie restriction. Anthropometrical and biochemical parameters will be measured at baseline, after one month, two months and at after three months of intervention. Resting metabolic rate, ultrasound scan of abdomen and ultrasound scan of carotid arteries will be measured at baseline and after three months of intervention. In addition, stool samples will be also taken at baseline and after three months of intervention.

Novel Technologies for Respiratory Virus Identification
InfectionsRespiratory1 moreCurrent virus detection methods often take significant time or can be limited in sensitivity, specificity or cost. There is therefore a need for diagnostic methods that are simple to use, sensitive, rapid and inexpensive. This is a proof of concept study to determine whether the OxDx system (a new a rapid pathogen identification technology) is able to detect and differentiate different viruses from nasopharyngeal swabs/aspirate specimens. The data collected will be used to "train" the algorithms to be able to accurately identify respiratory viruses. The accuracy with which the algorithms estimate the test dataset will be monitored at regular intervals during the training dataset collection period. The OxDx system is still under development, which means that it is still "learning". The system needs to see more information so that it can be sufficiently accurate to be used in clinical practice and should become more accurate in identifying these viruses as it sees more and more information from patients. This study will take place at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and aims to recruit 1000 patients. To do this, we will recruit both adults and children who either present to the emergency department or are admitted to QAH with a clinical suspicion of a respiratory viral infection. All participants will have a nose and/or throat swab taken as part of their clinical assessment, and we would ask to take a further nasal swab for the purpose of the study. Research sampling will be combined with routine clinical samples where possible to reduce the frequency of testing. We will use most of the information to teach the system how to become more accurate at identifying respiratory viruses. We will keep the remaining information separate and use it to test how accurate the system is. All of the data will be kept securely. Basic information will be collected including age, gender, results of blood tests taken for clinical review, treatment and outcome data. No results from the swabs taken for the purpose of the study will be available to either the participant or the clinical team and the information will have no effect on patient care.

Herpes Virus Infections in Kidney Transplant Patients
Kidney Transplant; ComplicationsVaricella Zoster Virus Infection1 moreKidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of infections, including Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections. Vaccination against VZV is routinely offered to all kidney transplant recipients and candidates in Denmark. In this exploratory observational study, the VZV specific immune response in kidney transplant candidates and recipients will be characterized at different time points in relation to transplantation, vaccination and infections. More knowledge on the immune reaction to transplantation, VZV vaccination and VZV infections may provide improved strategies for prevention and treatment of VZV infections in kidney transplant candidates and recipients.

HIV Transmission in the Era of Scaling up Antiretroviral Therapy in Ethiopia
HIV-1-infectionAntiretroviral TherapyThe goal of this observational study is to understand patterns of HIV transmission in a high-prevalence area in Ethiopia, and to compare viral genetic information in people with HIV who are newly diagnosed and have not been exposed to antiretroviral therapy with persons receiving antiretroviral therapy without viral suppression. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do people with HIV who fail to achieve viral suppression contribute to the ongoing spread of HIV in Ethiopia, or does HIV transmission mainly occur between persons with no exposure to such therapy? Are viruses with drug-resistance mutations transmitted onwards from people with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy who fail to achieve viral suppression? * Which factors are involved in treatment failure and emergence of drug-resistant viruses longitudinally? Participants will be enrolled with regard to history of antiretroviral therapy exposure (newly diagnosed/treatment-naïve vs. treatment-experienced with lack of viral suppression), using persons on antiretroviral therapy with viral suppression for control. We will compare the following outcomes between these groups: Clustering of viral genetic sequences at inclusion (implying linked transmission) Prevalence of drug-resistance-associated mutations at inclusion Viral suppression and emergence of drug-resistance mutations during follow-up

The Effect of Probiotics on Gut Microbiotain After Helicobacter Pylori Eradication
Helicobacter Pylori InfectionInfections1 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of probiotics during vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy on the gut microbiota in Helicobacter pylori eradication and to investigate whether the eradication rate of H.pylori will be improved when adding probiotics

Effect of Probiotics on Eradication of Persistent H.Pylori Infection
Persistent Helicobacter Pylori InfectionThis study aims to investigate the possible safety and efficacy of probiotics (Bifidobacterium Infants, Enterococcus Feacium, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus) on the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori and the incidence of adverse effects (AEs) of the concurrent rescue regimen in a patient with persistent H. Pylori infection.