Host Response to Infection and Treatment in Human Filarial Diseases

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates filarial infections caused by parasitic worms transmitted through mosquito bites. The study aims to deeply understand the immune response to these infections, including factors that affect susceptibility, disease development, and responses to treatment. It includes patients aged 3 to 100 years with confirmed or suspected infections by parasites such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Bugia malayi, Onchocerca volvulus, and Loa loa. The study does not involve experimental treatments but uses standard medical procedures. Participants will receive diagnosis and treatment according to the type of infection, using drugs like diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin. Diagnostic tests may include lung, skin, and heart assessments, skin biopsies, and bronchoalveolar lavage in adults if medically necessary. Research procedures include extra blood draws to study immune cells, urine collections, skin allergy tests, and leukapheresis to collect white blood cells in adults. Treatment and follow-up will be more frequent and detailed than usual clinical care. During the study, participants undergo physical exams, blood tests, and other evaluations to monitor infection and immune response. Researchers will closely observe clinical and immunologic changes in response to therapy over a long-term period of up to 10 years. The study aims to define what determines susceptibility to filarial infection, disease progression, and treatment outcomes, while providing optimal care and collecting valuable biological samples for laboratory studies.

Host Response to Infection and Treatment in Filarial Diseases