Active clinical trials for "Communicable Diseases"

The goal of this assessor blinded randomized controlled trial is to compare a lock solution containing taurolidine, citrate and heparin to a heparin only lock solution for the prevention of central line associated bloodstream infections in paediatric oncology patients with a central venous access device.

Objectives: Efficacy of a meningococcal vaccine against Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Design: Parallel randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Setting: A teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Participants: 150 adult MSM at risk of gonorrhoea infection (condomless sex with more than one man within the last six months, history of sexually transmitted infection [STI] diagnosis, inclination to have condomless sex, and other PrEP-eligible criteria) would be recruited into the trial, with half allocated to intervention and control group each. Intervention: Intervention and control group would receive, one month apart, two doses of meningococcal vaccine and normal saline, respectively. Main outcome measures: Safety and efficacy of vaccine against gonorrhoea (time to first gonorrhoea infection and incidence), and behavioural change after vaccination. Expected results: NG incidences in two groups would be compared. Efficacy of vaccine against gonorrhoea would be determined after controlling confounding variables. Characteristics of participants with incident NG would be distinguished from those without incident infections. Change of frequency of sexual activities and networking would be noted. Implications: Strategies on STI screening and vaccination could be informed. Reduced STI burden post-vaccination could be measured with surveillance system.

The study is to investigate whether chlorhexidine (CHG)-based antiseptics is more effective to prevent catheter-related urinary tract infection (CAUTI) among inhospital patients who required Foley catheter insertion. This is a cluster-randomised, step-wedged clinical trial, in which every participated unit will used three different Foley catheter insertion protocols during the study period: Iodine protocol: using 10% povidone-iodine as the primary antiseptic during Foley insertion. This is the routine practice before this study in the participated hospital, as well as many Taiwanese hospitals. CHG protocol: instead of povidone-iodine solution, use 2% aqueous CHG solution as the primary disinfectant during Foley solution. CHG plus protocol: additional to 2% CHG solution, added 0.5% CHG impregnated gel as the lubrication during Foley insertion.

This Phase 1, randomized, observer-blind, dose-ranging clinical study is evaluating 6 different formulations of MF59-adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted H2N3 influenza vaccine. Approximately 600 healthy adult subjects are to be randomized into 1 of 6 possible treatment groups with 100 subjects per group, stratified by age group (born after or before 1968). Each subject will receive an influenza vaccine injection on Day 1 and Day 22. Subjects will be followed up for approximately 12 months after the second vaccine injection. The primary immunogenicity analysis is based on the Day 1, Day 8, Day 22, Day 29, and Day 43 serology data. The primary safety analysis is based on solicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs) reported within 10 days after each vaccination, unsolicited AEs reported within 3 weeks after each vaccination, and serious AEs (SAEs), medically attended AEs (MAAEs), AEs leading to withdrawal from the study, and AEs of special interest (AESIs) reported throughout the study.

Does the use of the BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel plus in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory infections lead to a reduction in length of hospital stay (LOS) and customized antibiotic treatment (higher amount of specific vs empiric treatment, shorter treatment duration, less antibiotic treatment, lower incidence of side effects) compared to the standard of care?

Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) colonization of patients discharged from hospitals is a source of transmission to the community. In a cluster randomized controlled trial the effect of a bundle of interventions will be assessed on CRE transmission from CRE+ index patient discharged from hospital to HouseHold (HH) members. The districts in two provinces will be randomized to intervention or control. An information, communication, education and hygiene intervention, developed in collaboration with local health authorities, will aim to improve hygiene and decrease antibiotic (AB) use. The effect will be evaluated on CRE transmission between HH members, livestock and environment through consecutive CRE screening using fecal and hospital effluent samples cultured on carbapenem selective media. Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice surveys with smartphones will assess health seeking, AB use and hygiene adherence, hence detecting the effect of interventions. If transmission of CRE +/- Colistin Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CoRE, common among livestocks) is detected the source will be investigated including livestock and food, targeted information will be given and evaluated. In hospitals the effect of cohort care will be assessed on CRE acquisition, hospital acquired infection, treatment outcome, costeffectiveness and contamination in sewage water. Mechanisms of resistance, relatedness of CRE isolates in different One Health departments, and rate of CRE transmission from humans to animals and vice versa, will be assessed through Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).

Background: Esophageal cancer commonly occurs in middle-aged man. It is ranked to the 6th common cancer and 5th cancer-related death in Taiwanese male, and sometimes co-exist with oropharyngeal cancer, which impacts our national economics and productivity a lot. To improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer, we should contribute to early diagnosis and improved treatment of the disease. Recent studies showed oral and esophageal dysbiosis may lead to oropharyngeal and esophageal cancer. Aim: To investigate whether oral microbiota is similar to esophageal microbiota. To investigate whether oral microbiota can be a non-invasive biomarker of oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, synchronous cancer and chemoradiation resistance. And whether probiotic supplement can improve oral/esophageal dysbiosis in order to prevent esophageal cancer. Study design: This study compares the oral/esophageal microbiota composition between oropharyngeal cancer cases, esophageal cancer cases, synchronous cancer cases and non-cancer controls. In addition, the link between oral and esophageal microbiota will be explored. The study will identify the microbiota related with esophageal cancer development. We will also validate the effect of probiotic supplementation on improving oral/esophageal dysbiosis. Expected result and significance: Examination of oral microbiota has the potential to become a non-invasive tool for oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and synchronous cancer. Probiotic supplementation has the potential to improve oral dysbiosis.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) have been shown to increase length of hospital stay and mortality. Infections acquired during a hospital stay have been shown to be preventable. The skin of patients is considered a major reservoir for pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections, and has been suggested as a potential target for interventions to reduce bacterial burden and subsequent risk of infection. The use of daily Chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing in intensive care patients has been advocated to reduce many of the infections in critically ill patients. However, the effectiveness of CHG bathing to reduce ICU infections has varied considerably among published trials, making the effectiveness of CHG bathing in ICU patients uncertain.

This is an open label, phase I dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety of coronavirus-specific T cell (CST) therapy for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Participants will receive donor-derived CSTs for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection after HSCT (≥28 days and <4 months after HSCT). In this dose escalation trial, three doses (1x107/m2, 2x107/m2, and 4x107/m2) will be tested for safety, with study arms for adult (≥18 years of age and <80 years) HSCT recipients (Arm A) and pediatric (≥12 years of age and <18 years) HSCT recipients (Arm B), and defined dose escalations in each study arm. The study agent will be assessed for safety (stopping rules defined) and antiviral activity.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes most cases of infectious mononucleosis (mono). Mono can cause fatigue that lasts more than 6 months, and some people can have severe complications. EBV infection may also contribute to some cancers and autoimmune diseases. Currently, there are no approved therapies or vaccines for EBV infection. Objective: To test a vaccine against EBV. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 18 to 22 years. Design: Participants will be screened in 2 parts. They will have a blood test. If that test shows they have never had an EBV infection, they will have a second clinic visit. They will have a physical exam, with blood and urine tests. A cotton swab will be rubbed on their gums to collect saliva. Participants will receive 2 injections into a shoulder muscle. Some will receive the EBV vaccine. Others will receive a placebo; this contains harmless salt water with no vaccine. Participants will not know which one they are getting. The 2 injections will be 30 days apart. Participants will be asked to record any side effects or symptoms they have between visits. They can do this on paper or online. Participants will return for a follow-up visit 60 days after the first injection. They will have follow-up visits by phone or telehealth after 5 and 8 months. They will return for a physical exam after 13 months. They may come back for an optional physical exam after 2 years. Participants will come to the clinic if they become ill with an EBV infection during the study.