Dengue Virus Research Study
Researchers at NIH are conducting a viral challenge study to learn more about dengue virus.
Help us find out more about how the body reacts to dengue and how protection develops over time.
Fast Facts
Adults who have travelled to dengue-prevalent areas OR have never travelled to those areas
Willing to receive a small dose of the virus as part of this study
Compensation
provided up to $3695
Conducted in Bethesda, MD
Study Background
We are doing this challenge to see how the body reacts right after infection, before symptoms usually begin, and how protection against dengue develops over time.
This is a “viral challenge” study where, instead of getting dengue from a mosquito bite, you will be given an injection of a laboratory-grown dengue virus directly into your arm, similar to a flu shot. This virus is weaker than the natural dengue virus, so symptoms from the challenge virus are generally milder. In addition to tracking what happens in the body over time, we will also see if there are any differences between people who have had dengue before and people who have never had it.
Eventually, we hope that the findings from this study will help in the development of new vaccines and medicines. Be a part of advancing medical research and join us today.
Study Background
We are doing this challenge to see how the body reacts right after infection, before symptoms usually begin, and how protection against dengue develops over time.
This is a “viral challenge” study where, instead of getting dengue from a mosquito bite, you will be given an injection of a laboratory-grown dengue virus directly into your arm, similar to a flu shot. This virus is weaker than the natural dengue virus, so symptoms from the challenge virus are generally milder. In addition to tracking what happens in the body over time, we will also see if there are any differences between people who have had dengue before and people who have never had it.
Eventually, we hope that the findings from this study will help in the development of new vaccines and medicines. Be a part of advancing medical research and join us today.
Additional Information
There are a few approved vaccines for dengue, but they are only available in certain parts of the world and do not provide full protection for everyone. Dengue symptoms may not appear for several days after infection. By the time a person sees a doctor, the early stages of infection are usually over. This is why it is important to better understand dengue—especially what happens in the early stages and in the months that follow—to help develop new vaccines and medicines. In addition, many current studies do not have the resources to follow participants for 6 to 12 months, even though this long-term follow-up is important for understanding how the immune system responds. This study aims to address some of these gaps.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults who have traveled to dengue-prevalent areas (e.g., Asia, Africa, Caribbean) OR have never travelled to those areas
- Willing to receive a small dose of the virus as part of this study
- Able to participate in this study for at least 7 months with in-person visits in Bethesda, MD
- If applicable, willing to use a medically-accepted form of birth control for the study’s duration
- Willing to forego any other vaccines outside of this study for the study’s duration
- Willing to allow storage of samples and data for future research
- Ages 18-59
Exclusion Criteria:
- No clinically significant immune diseases, asthma, hypertension, or diabetes
- No history of HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
- Never received a vaccine for dengue virus
- Not currently pregnant or lactating
There are 11 required study visits at the NIH Clinical Center over 6 months. Eight of these visits are in the first month. There are also optional visits up to 2 months before the challenge and 1 year after.
The challenge virus is injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin of your upper left arm, like the flu shot.
Study visits will include:
- checking your vital signs (temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure)
- physical exam
- reviewing your medical and medication history
- taking blood (between 2 and 10 tablespoons)
- asking you about side effects or discomforts you have had since receiving the challenge virus
For some visits, you will only come in for a blood draw. We will then follow up with you by phone, telehealth, or secure email to ask about any side effects, health concerns or changes to your medications.
Two or three times during the study, you will fill out a detailed survey about your recent travel and possible exposure to other viruses.
There are two optional procedures: lymph node aspiration and bone marrow biopsy. Both collect immune system cells so we can see how your body responds to the challenge virus.
You can receive up to $3695 for completing all parts of the study.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.