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Identification of Viruses Associated With Diseases of Unknown Cause
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC), December 2008
Sponsored by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00359268
  Purpose

This study will try to identify new or known viruses responsible for diseases or conditions of unknown cause. Viruses are an important cause of illness. They have been identified as causes of several cancers, including certain liver cancers and cervical cancer. Several diseases, such as Kawasaki's disease, aplastic anemia, aphthous ulcers, and certain fevers of unknown origin in immune suppressed patients are thought possibly to be due to viruses, but their cause has not yet been determined. This study will use very sensitive molecular techniques to try to identify new or known viruses in patients with conditions of unknown causes. This study does not involve any treatment.

Any patient with a condition or disease whose cause is unknown may be eligible for this study. A referral from a local physician is required for patients who wish to enroll in this study.

Participants will have blood samples drawn up to four times during the study. The total amount of blood drawn in any 6-week period will not exceed 50 milliliters (about 3-1/2 tablespoons) for adults and 5 ml (about 1/2 tablespoon) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) for children. In addition, body fluids, such as joint or spinal fluid, or tissue samples, such as biopsy specimens, obtained previously for medical purposes, may be obtained for testing.

The patient's doctor will be informed of any positive findings from the samples. Identification of a virus does not necessarily mean that the virus is causing the patient's condition or disease. Additional tests from many patients with similar diseases or conditions are required before a virus can be definitively associated with a disease. Similarly, failure to find a virus does not necessarily mean that the patient is not infected with a virus that is causing the condition, as the tests used in this study are imperfect and will not detect certain forms of viruses that can cause disease.


Condition
Viral Diseases

U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: Identification of Novel Viruses

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Estimated Enrollment: 100
Study Start Date: April 2001
Detailed Description:

Viral infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Viruses have also been identified as the probable cause of a number of malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma and cervical carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to identify novel viruses (or known viruses) that are associated with diseases whose etiology is unknown. Blood samples, body fluids, or discarded tissues (e.g. previous biopsy or autopsy material) will be obtained from patients with clinical syndromes or diseases whose etiology is unknown. Highly sensitive assays using the polymerase chain reaction will be performed to attempt to identify novel or known viruses that might be present in the blood, body fluids, or tissues. Knowledge gained from this study could provide important insights into the cause of diseases whose etiology is presently unknown.

  Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria
  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Any patient with a condition or disease whose etiology is unknown.

Adequate venous access.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

None

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00359268

Contacts
Contact: Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office (800) 411-1222 prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
Contact: TTY 1-866-411-1010

Locations
United States, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike Recruiting
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

Publications:
Study ID Numbers: 010161, 01-I-0161
Study First Received: August 1, 2006
Last Updated: December 30, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00359268  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Random Priming
Nucleic Acid
Viral Genome
Virus
Identification

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Virus Diseases

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 16, 2009