Identification of Viruses Associated With Diseases of Unknown Cause



Status:Enrolling by invitation
Conditions:Infectious Disease
Therapuetic Areas:Immunology / Infectious Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:Any
Updated:3/1/2019
Start Date:April 27, 2001

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

Identification of Novel Viruses

This study will try to identify new or known viruses responsible for diseases or conditions
of unknown cause. Viruses are an important cause of illness. They have been identified as
causes of several cancers, including certain liver cancers and cervical cancer. Several
diseases, such as Kawasaki s disease, aplastic anemia, aphthous ulcers, and certain fevers of
unknown origin in immune suppressed patients are thought possibly to be due to viruses, but
their cause has not yet been determined. This study will use very sensitive molecular
techniques to try to identify new or known viruses in patients with conditions of unknown
causes. This study does not involve any treatment.

Any patient with a condition or disease whose cause is unknown may be eligible for this
study. A referral from a local physician is required for patients who wish to enroll in this
study.

Participants will have blood samples drawn up to four times during the study. The total
amount of blood drawn in any 6-week period will not exceed 50 milliliters (about 3-1/2
tablespoons) for adults and 5 ml (about 1/2 tablespoon) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) for
children. In addition, body fluids, such as joint or spinal fluid, or tissue samples, such as
biopsy specimens, obtained previously for medical purposes, may be obtained for testing.

The patient s doctor will be informed of any positive findings from the samples.
Identification of a virus does not necessarily mean that the virus is causing the patient s
condition or disease. Additional tests from many patients with similar diseases or conditions
are required before a virus can be definitively associated with a disease. Similarly, failure
to find a virus does not necessarily mean that the patient is not infected with a virus that
is causing the condition, as the tests used in this study are imperfect and will not detect
certain forms of viruses that can cause disease.

Viral infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients.
Viruses have also been identified as the probable cause of a number of malignancies including
hepatocellular carcinoma and cervical carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to identify
novel viruses (or known viruses) that are associated with diseases whose etiology is unknown.
Blood samples, body fluids, or discarded tissues (e.g. previous biopsy or autopsy material)
saliva swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, skin biopsies, or mucosal biopsies will be obtained from
patients with clinical syndromes or diseases whose etiology is unknown. Highly sensitive
assays using the polymerase chain reaction will be performed to attempt to identify novel or
known viruses that might be present in the blood, body fluids, or tissues. Knowledge gained
from this study could provide important insights into the cause of diseases whose etiology is
presently unknown.

- INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Any patient with a condition or disease whose etiology is unknown.

Adequate venous access.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
We found this trial at
1
site
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
?
mi
from
Bethesda, MD
Click here to add this to my saved trials