Comparison of Immune Response in Normal Volunteers and Patients With Helminth Infections



Status:Completed
Conditions:Healthy Studies, Infectious Disease
Therapuetic Areas:Immunology / Infectious Diseases, Other
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 65
Updated:4/6/2019
Start Date:March 20, 2000
End Date:April 22, 2015

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Langherhans' Cell Function and Inflammatory Responses in Skin of Volunteers Using the Suction Blister Technique

This study will compare the structure, chemical composition and other characteristics of skin
and blood in people with and without parasitic infections. Cell samples will be taken from
blisters produced by suction blistering. This study may provide new information about the
interactions between parasites and the immune system that could lead to better treatments for
these infections.

Normal volunteers and patients with acute helminth (a type of parasite) infections aged 18
years older may be eligible for this study. Following a medical history and physical exam,
participants will undergo suction blistering to provide cells needed for study. A suction
blister device is attached to the skin of the thigh. A heating element in the device heats
the skin to speed blister formation. (This will feel only a slightly warm.) The device is
removed after about two hours, when the blisters have formed. The blister tops are removed
with sterile scissors. The blistered areas are then treated with special dressings to promote
healing and the participant is discharged with further wound care instructions. A small
amount of blood (around four tablespoons) may be drawn to compare chemicals in the blood with
chemicals in the blister fluid. Participants will be contacted by telephone over the next 72
hours to check on healing. Further follow-up will occur by phone at 6 months and 1 year.

Up to 60 blisters may be produced over a one-year period (in three separate sessions every
six months) with no more than 20 raised per session.

This study will compare the structure, chemical composition and other characteristics of skin
and blood in people with and without parasitic infections. Cell samples will be taken from
blisters produced by suction blistering. This study may provide new information about the
interactions between parasites and the immune system that could lead to better treatments for
these infections.

Normal volunteers and patients with acute helminth (a type of parasite) infections aged 18
years older may be eligible for this study. Following a medical history and physical exam,
participants will undergo suction blistering to provide cells needed for study. A suction
blister device is attached to the skin of the thigh. A heating element in the device heats
the skin to speed blister formation. (This will feel only a slightly warm.) The device is
removed after about two hours, when the blisters have formed. The blister tops are removed
with sterile scissors. The blistered areas are then treated with special dressings to promote
healing and the participant is discharged with further wound care instructions. A small
amount of blood (around four tablespoons) may be drawn to compare chemicals in the blood with
chemicals in the blister fluid. Participants will be contacted by telephone over the next 72
hours to check on healing. Further follow-up will occur by phone at 6 months and 1 year.

Up to 60 blisters may be produced over a one-year period (in three separate sessions every
six months) with no more than 20 raised per session.

- INCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Between the ages of 18 and 65 years inclusive

2. Access to a primary medical care provider outside of the NIH

3. Able to give informed consent

4. Willingness to have history and physical examination annually

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. History of malignancy or autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis,
pyoderma gangrenosum

2. Use of systemic corticosteroids within the past month

3. Use of local corticosteroids at the proposed blistering site within the past month

4. Evidence of current acute infection

5. Personal or family history of keloid formation

6. Use of any investigative drugs within the past month

7. History of skin disease within the past one year (e.g. psoriasis, atopic dermatitis)

8. History of diabetes
We found this trial at
1
site
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
?
mi
from
Bethesda, MD
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