Prometheus
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Biomarkers predicting infectivity in an experimental human influenza model
IRAS ID
228007
Contact name
Christopher Chiu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 3 days
Research summary
Influenza (‘flu’) is one of the most common causes of lung infection. Seasonal flu affects between 10 and 46% of the population each year and causes around 12 deaths in every 100,000 people infected. Although flu vaccines are available, these need to change every year to overcome rapid changes in the virus and are not completely protective.
The aim of this research project is to identify how the human immune system responds to infection with flu so that we can identify individuals who are infected earlier. This means we could limit the spread of flu and treat it more quickly. To meet these aims, we will infect healthy volunteers with flu. We will then examine how the immune system responds.This study will for the first time systematically investigate the early pre-symptomatic period following exposure to influenza in humans. The data obtained will be essential for further understanding of the natural history of human antiviral responses, and will allow us to identify a panel of biomarkers that can predict which individuals will go on to more severe symptoms and higher viral shedding, so that treatments and other interventions can be made at an early stage.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0965
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion