Mumps

Researchers are evaluating the protective efficacy and safety of a recombinant herpes zoster vaccine called LZ901 in healthy adults aged 40 years and older. This phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to protect participants against shingles caused by the varicella zoster virus. The vaccine contains a tetramer of VZV glycoprotein E combined with an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant known to enhance immune response and widely used in vaccines worldwide. Participants will receive two doses of either the LZ901 vaccine or a placebo (aluminum hydroxide adjuvant) injected into the upper arm on day 0 and day 29. Around 26,000 participants will be enrolled, including a subgroup of about 3,000 to assess the consistency of immune response across three vaccine batches and monitor persistence of immunity up to 36 months. The study includes four groups: treatment main, placebo main, treatment immunization, and placebo immunization groups. Participants will undergo up to 24 visits depending on their group, including on-site and in-person visits for screening, vaccination, and follow-up assessments. Researchers will monitor vaccine efficacy 30 days after full immunization, track adverse events from immediate to 12 months post-vaccination, and evaluate immune response through antibody tests at multiple time points. The study also explores the vaccine's impact on reducing the severity and occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia in adults 40 years and older.

Researchers are evaluating a new health education method aimed at helping indigenous Orang Asli households in Selangor, Malaysia, prepare for Disease X and other outbreaks. This cluster randomized trial seeks to find out if a package including workshops, simulation exercises, and card games can improve these households' readiness, awareness, attitudes, and proactive preparedness actions compared to receiving educational brochures alone. The study compares two groups: one receiving the intervention package plus educational brochures, and the other receiving only the brochures. The intervention package is delivered once during a workshop. The control group gets brochures sourced from the Ministry of Health Malaysia's "Info Sihat" website. Both groups will participate in surveys before the intervention, immediately after, and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups to assess changes. Participants will engage in the intervention activities or receive brochures, then complete four surveys to measure preparedness using scores and matrices. Researchers will track household preparedness, cognitive preparedness, and behavior related to outbreak readiness over the two-month follow-up. The study is sponsored by Universiti Teknologi Mara and includes adults aged 18 to 99 years old from Orang Asli communities.

Researchers are investigating the effects of measles vaccine (MV) and Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) given to women of fertile age before pregnancy, and the impact of providing early measles vaccination to their children. The study aims to understand both measles-specific and general immune benefits in mothers and children, focusing on antibody responses, viral loads after yellow fever vaccination, and overall health outcomes. This is a phase 4 randomized, triple-blind trial conducted in Guinea-Bissau, exploring the novel concept that vaccinating mothers with live vaccines may enhance protection for their children. In this trial, 2400 non-pregnant, HIV-negative women aged 15 to 35 will be randomly assigned to receive either the measles vaccine, BCG vaccine, or a saline placebo. Their children, all receiving BCG at birth as per local recommendations, will be further randomized at 20 weeks of age to receive either an early measles vaccine or placebo. All children will then receive the standard measles and yellow fever vaccines at 9 months. The study will create six groups combining maternal and child vaccination schedules to compare outcomes. Participants will be followed through regular home visits and health center monitoring. Women will have blood samples taken before and after vaccination to measure antibody levels. Children will be closely monitored monthly and have blood samples taken at specified ages to assess immune responses and viral loads. The study tracks morbidity and mortality data for both mothers and children over time, using interviews, hospital records, and vaccination documentation. The trial will continue until 2027, assessing which vaccination schedules best support health and immunity.

This research aims to assess the immune responses in people vaccinated against mpox with either the MVA-BN or LC16m8 vaccine during a routine vaccination campaign in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. About 150 participants vaccinated with MVA-BN and 150 vaccinated with LC16m8 will be included. The study focuses on understanding how the immune response develops and lasts over time. Participants will have blood samples collected at six visits over a 24-month period: on the day of vaccination (day 0), 28 days later, 59 days later, and then at 8, 16, and 24 months. At each visit, 10 mL of blood will be taken, with an additional 20 mL collected from a subgroup of participants. The study evaluates the presence and levels of neutralizing and binding antibodies against the mpox virus. During the study, participants will be monitored through scheduled visits to collect blood samples and assess immune responses. The main outcome measured is the rate of seroconversion for neutralizing antibodies 28 days after vaccination. Other measures include antibody levels at various time points up to 24 months and vaccine tolerability. The study also tracks any mpox infections after vaccination and factors influencing immune response strength.

Researchers are investigating Mpox, a disease with rising cases in Central and East Africa, caused by two virus strains with different characteristics and spread patterns. The study aims to develop new immune tests to estimate how many people have been exposed to Mpox or vaccinated, helping to prioritize vaccine use in affected communities. This outbreak is considered a public health emergency due to increasing cases and deaths, especially with limited testing in some regions. Participants are grouped by their exposure status: those at risk but without symptoms, those recovered from Mpox or vaccinated, and those with no known exposure. The study uses diagnostic tests including an Mpox-specific antibody ELISA and a dried blood spot lateral flow assay to detect immune responses. All participants undergo the same testing procedures to assess their exposure or immunity status. During the study visit, participants provide biological samples for testing and complete surveys about their views on outbreak studies, immune diagnostic tools, and vaccine logistics. Researchers will measure Mpox-specific antibodies and evaluate rapid test accuracy. The study will also gather perspectives from healthcare workers and the public to support future vaccine strategies. The total participation involves sampling and questionnaires conducted on the first day.

This research aims to evaluate clinical and immune-metabolic factors that may influence the risk, severity, and outcomes such as hospitalization or death in patients infected with the Mpox virus in Brazil. The study focuses on people diagnosed with monkeypox and observes how their condition progresses over time. Participants are people with laboratory-confirmed Mpox infection, identified by tests like PCR, culture, or antigen tests on samples from blood, throat, anal, or skin lesions taken within five days of joining the study. The study is observational, meaning it collects data without assigning treatments, and follows patients for 90 days after inclusion through decentralized visits. During the study, researchers will monitor symptoms such as rash, fever, pain, chills, weakness, hospitalizations, and neurological effects. They will also perform laboratory tests including viral genomic analysis and metabolomics on blood and skin samples at various times. Follow-up occurs at days 15, 30, 60, and 90, with monitoring for death and hospitalizations, helping to understand the course of Mpox infection over this period.

This research aims to promote vaccine confidence and increase vaccination rates for the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among vulnerable and underserved youth aged 11 to 14. It focuses on addressing the suboptimal uptake of this strongly recommended vaccine by assessing a game-based educational approach. The study is a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in improving vaccine intent and uptake. Participants are divided into two groups: one group receives a game-based intervention designed to educate and encourage HPV vaccination, while the other group receives usual care without any intervention. The study involves parent-child dyads, with children aged 11 to 14 who have not yet received the HPV vaccine. The intervention is delivered via a health game, and the study measures changes from before to after the intervention. During the study, researchers will track participation rates, retention, involvement, and satisfaction with the intervention. They will also measure parents' intent to vaccinate their children immediately after the intervention and two months later, alongside actual vaccination uptake. Assessments occur at enrollment, immediately post-intervention, and two months afterward. The total study duration includes follow-up to monitor these outcomes and collect participant feedback.

This research aims to analyze both short and long term outcomes and patient satisfaction after receiving silicone gel-filled testicular implants made by Groupe SEBBIN. The study includes patients of any age who require testicular implant placement due to conditions such as testicular agenesis, atrophy, undescended testicle, tumor, infection, trauma, or as part of gender reassignment surgery. Since testicular loss can cause psychological distress, the study focuses on understanding complications and quality of life impacts related to these implants. The study observes the placement of one or two sterile, bio-compatible silicone gel-filled testicular prostheses manufactured by SEBBIN. These implants are used during surgery upon patient request and are intended for various medical or gender affirmation reasons. Both cisgender and transgender patients receiving these implants are included, with no experimental treatment but monitoring of the implant's safety and performance over time. Participants will be followed for up to two years after surgery to track complications within 90 days post-operation and long term at two years. Researchers will collect data on complication rates and grades as well as patient-reported outcomes including self-esteem, scrotal body image, and satisfaction with the prosthesis using questionnaires at baseline and multiple intervals up to 24 months. The study monitors safety and quality of life changes to provide comprehensive clinical evaluations of these implants.

Researchers are evaluating whether faster testing for respiratory viruses like Influenza, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can reduce the number and size of virus outbreaks in long-term care homes. The trial compares rapid point-of-care testing with existing laboratory testing methods to see if quicker results help control virus spread among residents. This study is led by Michael Garron Hospital and involves long-term care facilities linked to specific Ontario Health Teams. The study involves two groups: one uses a point-of-care respiratory test platform located within the care facility to provide quick test results, while the other group continues using the existing respiratory virus testing platforms. The rapid testing device aims to deliver results faster than traditional lab methods, potentially allowing for timely infection control measures. The study is randomized and does not include blinding. Participants are long-term care residents in facilities engaged with Ontario Health Teams overseen by Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Michael Garron Hospital, or Humber River Health. Researchers will track the number of residents infected with the targeted viruses over seven months, along with outbreak frequency, hospital transfers, deaths, outbreak duration, and secondary attack rates. No study blinding is used, and the trial runs until March 2026, monitoring outcomes at various intervals from 14 days to 60 days depending on the measure.

Researchers are investigating the spread and impact of multiple infectious diseases in Cambodia, a country facing challenges in disease surveillance and laboratory capacity. This nationwide study uses a One Health approach to better understand disease burden, transmission, and population immunity for a broad range of pathogens including zoonotic, vector-borne, vaccine-preventable, and neglected tropical diseases. The goal is to provide evidence that supports targeted and culturally appropriate public health interventions and to create a model that can be applied in similar low- and middle-income countries. The study will enroll about 10,000 participants aged 2 to 75 from urban and rural areas across Cambodia through a multi-stage population sampling method. Participants will complete standardized questionnaires covering demographics, health status, mobility, animal contact, and healthcare access. Blood samples will be collected for multiplex serology to detect antibodies against 57 priority pathogens. This observational study does not involve treatments but focuses on extensive data and sample collection to support research and policy development. Participants will be visited at home for blood sampling and questionnaire completion between December 2025 and April 2026. Researchers will measure the presence of antibodies to assess prior exposure to various pathogens. The study also includes building a biobank and curated datasets for long-term research use. Community engagement and collaboration with national stakeholders aim to facilitate the uptake of findings. The total participation period spans the inclusion period with no intervention, focusing on observation and data collection.