The Role of Viral Infection in Acute Exacerbations of Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis in Adults...
BronchiectasisBronchiectasis is clinically characterized by irreversible dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles leading to persistent cough, purulent sputum, and airway flow limitation, which may be accompanied by recurrent exacerbations.It has been increasingly recognized that respiratory viruses are mainly responsible for acute exacerbation of chronic pulmonary diseases, i.e. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. However,little is known about the roles of viral infection in driving exacerbations of bronchiectasis.This study aims to identify the frequency of common viral infections and determine the roles that viruses play in acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis.
Effectiveness of Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Maternal Vaccination Among Pregnant Women and Their...
Influenza Viral InfectionsThis is a case-control study embedded in a surveillance system to determine the effectiveness of antenatal maternal influenza vaccination against laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalised illness in infants <6 months of age.
Mobile Point of Care Diagnostic Testing for Ebola Virus Disease in DRC
Ebola Virus DiseaseMalaria4 moreA mobile suitcase laboratory for EBOV point-of-care (POC) detection at Ebola treatment centers was successfully implemented in Guinea during the large Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West-Africa 2014-2015. It was shown that isothermal amplification (Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA)) could be efficiently used to test suspect EVD cases and local teams were trained in and successfully deployed with this fast method. In the frame of this project we want to train teams in DRC and expand RPA testing capacity to the differentials recommended by the WHO. Existing RPA assays for all parameters will be included into a multistrip for simultaneous use. This will be integrated with a simple biosafe extraction method. Implementing this approach and testing in the ongoing EVD outbreak will provide teams in DRC with response capacity for future EVD outbreaks.
Pharmacogenomics of Interferon and Ribavirin Treatment in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus...
Hepatitis CThe purpose of this study is to examine gene expression profiles by DNA microarray in patients who are responders and non-responders to interferon and ribavirin treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Genes involved in inflammation and fibrosis and mediators of the Th-1 lymphocyte response will be looked for. It is hoped that genetic targets for future more effective and less toxic treatments will be identified.
TARGet Kids! COVID-19 Study of Children and Families
CoronavirusCOVID-193 moreThe novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic in March 2020. Early research suggests that children are no more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than adults and that children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with milder symptoms. However, the impact of COVID-19 among Canadian children remains unclear. The prevalence of COVID-19 in children in Canada is currently unknown and no published research exists regarding the risk factors of COVID-19 in children or its potential long-term health effects on physical health or development. Using TARGet Kids!, Canada's largest children's cohort study with over 11,000 children involved, the researchers will conduct a longitudinal observational study aimed to evaluate the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in children and parents; differences among infected and uninfected children in terms of age, sex, and income; risk factors of COVID-19; and longer term health effects of COVID-19 among children. Given the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the unknown health effects of the virus in children, research must be conducted to determine the extent of infections of COVID-19 in children, disease severity, risk factors for infection, and how the virus affects children as they become older.
Evaluation of Immune Response in COVID-19 Patients
Allergy and ImmunologyInfection ViralThe aim of the project is to evaluate the immunological features of COVID-19 patients. Patients are recruited without any pharmacological treatments restriction. The number of samples is estimated on the basis of feasibility, that means on the maximum number of patients with COVID-19, who are expected to be able to be enrolled by the units involved. Based on the investigators' experience, gained in the onco-immunological field, considering the time and economic resources available, the investigators expect to enroll at least 80 patients.
Study of Biomarkers in the Long-term Impact of Coronavirus Infection in the Cardiorespiratory System...
COVID19Corona Virus Infection2 moreCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a significant threat to global health. As the disease progresses, a series of acute complications tend to develop in multiple organs. Beyond the supportive care, no specific treatment has been established for COVID-19. The effectiveness, both short-term and long-term, of some promising antivirals, such as the hydroxychloroquine combination with azithromycin, needs to be evaluated. This study aims to investigate the predictive role of cardiac biomarkers and pulmonary symptoms for late complications of COVID-19 coronavirus infection on the heart and lung in patients treated with the hydroxychloroquine / azithromycin combination therapy. Thus, COVID-19 coronavirus patients undergoing hydroxychloroquine / azithromycin combination therapy will be compared to patients not undergoing this therapy. The comparison will be made by the analysis of the relationships between (1) levels of ultrasensitive cardiac troponins collected at the beginning of the infection and cardiac magnetic resonance data in the 3rd and 12th months of troponin collection and (2) findings CT scans and the results of the ergospirometers tests performed in those same periods. It is expected to demonstrate that: (1) cardiac troponin and lung tomographic findings can predict late complications of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in the heart and lung, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance and ergospirometers one year after the beginning of the infection, and (2) hydroxychloroquine / azithromycin combined therapy can abolish the onset of these complications late. Furthermore, the results may point to the need for more rigorous monitoring of cardiologists and pulmonologists of these patients, due to the risk of hemodynamic complications, arrhythmogenic and respiratory.
The Search for Viral and Bacterial Etiology of Varicocele
VaricoceleViral Infection3 moreThis study is to answer the question is there any relationship between viral ( HSV 1 , HSV 2 , HPV 6/11, CMV, HHV 6 , HHV 8, BKV) or bacterial (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum) infection and occurrence of varicocele in men.
Study of Subclinical Viral Infection
Kidney TransplantationKidney Failure1 moreChronic allograft injury is the leading cause of graft loss in renal transplantation. The shortage of available kidneys for transplantation has reached crisis levels with increasing numbers of waiting list mortalities. Strategies to prolong graft survival are urgently needed. The pediatric and young adult transplant population is one in which repeat transplantation is inevitable and therefore, this group is one who will especially benefit from intervention to prolong graft survival. The hypothesis of this proposal is that subclinical viral infection is a modifiable risk factor in the pathogenesis of chronic allograft injury. The young age of the proposed study population is an ideal one to evaluate this objective due to the high prevalence of seronegative recipients. The studies outlined will determine the temporal relationship betWeween subclinical viremia, renal allograft infection and allograft injury. This will be the first prospective study in renal transplant recipients to systematically monitor subclinical viral infection both in peripheral blood and in the renal allograft with concurrent quantitative measures of renal function, allograft fibrosis, and innate immune activation. The investigators have chosen these 3 outcomes because they evaluate a spectrum of renal allograft injury and represent different stages - from early to late - in the pathophysiology that leads to renal allograft dysfunction. In addition, the role of virus specific T cell immune responses in the control of subclinical viral infection and associated allograft injury will be determined. These data are critical as they will provide insights into the pathogenesis of injury and will guide development of interventions strategies. Importantly, the current treatment strategies for viral disease do not prevent subclinical viral infection. Thus, the results of this study may identify that prevention, prophylaxis and/or treatment of subclinical viral replication as a long term strategy to prevent chronic allograft injury and prolong graft survival.
Seroepidemiology of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection in Hualien, Taiwan
Japanese EncephalitisJapanese encephalitis (JE) is one of important zoonotic infectious diseases in Taiwan. JE caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) which transmitted by Culex tritaeniorhynchus and used swine as amplifying host. Infections leading to overt encephalitis are estimated to be 1 in 1000 cases. Among JE confirmed cases, approximately 25 percent of cases die and 50 percent of the survivals develop permanent neurologic and/or psychiatric sequelae. JEV circulated in Taiwan are belonged to genotype III and the vaccine strain selected from same genotype. Genotype I JEV was first detected in northern Taiwan in 2008 by CDC, and the same genotype JEV were detected in mosquito collected in central Taiwan by our group. In order to study the genotypic shift of JEV in Taiwan areas, and the effects of the replacement of genotype on vaccine, we will conduct the JEV seroepidemiology in Hualien county which was the highest incidence of JEV in Taiwan. The aims of this study were: (1) study the circulating of genotype I JEV in Hualien county; (2) determine the virulence of genotype I JEV in human; (3) differential diagnosis of JEV genotype I or III infection among confirmed cases; (4) measure the cross neutralizing activity, after immunized with genotype III JEV vaccine, against genotype I JEV; (5) determine the age-specific seroprevalence of JEV antibody; (6) estimate the annual risk of infection for JEV.