Impact of Bacterial Expression and Immune Response in the Severity of Pertussis
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is on the rise, and we want to find out why. Some scientists think the way the bacteria that cause whooping cough are evolving, possibly due to our current vaccines, might be making the illness worse or harder to fight. We know very little about why some children get a mild form and why others, especially babies, can become critically ill, with some sadly not surviving. This study will collect information and samples from children with whooping cough to look closely at these changing bacteria and how children's immune systems respond. Our goal is to discover new ways to predict who might get very sick and find better options for future vaccines.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can be a serious infection, especially for very young babies. We're seeing more cases of whooping cough lately, and scientists are trying to understand why. One idea is that the bacteria causing whooping cough might be changing over time, possibly because of the vaccines we currently use. These changes could be making the infection harder to fight or causing more severe illness.
At the moment, it's not clear why some children only get a mild case of whooping cough, while others, particularly babies, can become extremely ill. In the most severe cases in infants, sadly, many do not survive. We also don't have good ways to predict which children might develop a very serious form of the disease.
This study aims to tackle these important questions. We will work with children who have whooping cough to gather information and samples. By looking closely at how the bacteria are changing and how the children's bodies respond to the infection, we hope to find clues. Our ultimate goal is to discover ways to predict who might get very sick and to develop better ways to prevent whooping cough in the future, especially for our most vulnerable children.
Key takeaways
- The study investigates why whooping cough is increasing and becoming more severe.
- It focuses on how whooping cough bacteria are changing and how children's bodies fight the infection.
- The goal is to find ways to predict severe illness and improve vaccines.
- Participation involves collecting health information, a nose swab, and a blood sample.
- There are no new medicines given as part of the study.
- Results could help many children in the future.
Who may be eligible?
Children can take part in this study if they are between 0 and 15 years old. They must be suspected by their doctor to have whooping cough, and their doctor must have ordered a specific test (called a PCR) to confirm this. Importantly, children cannot have any other health conditions or be taking any medicines that might affect their immune system, as this could make the study results unclear. This includes conditions like autoimmune diseases or taking high doses of steroids for a long time. Their parents or guardians must also give their written permission for them to join.
Children cannot take part if they have a condition or are taking medication that affects their immune system. Also, if they have been given antibiotics that treat whooping cough within 24 hours before samples are taken, they can't join. The study also has a time limit: if too much time passes between the whooping cough test result and the day they might join the study, they won't be able to participate. Finally, very small babies (under 2.5 kg) or those whose doctors think taking part wouldn't be safe for them, cannot join.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Is my child between 0 and 15 years old?
- Does their doctor suspect they have whooping cough and have they ordered a specific test (PCR)?
- Does my child have any health conditions or take medicines that affect their immune system?
- Has my child received antibiotics for whooping cough in the last 24 hours?
- Is my baby's weight at least 2.5 kg?
What does participation involve?
If your child is eligible and you agree for them to take part, the study will involve collecting some information about their health. The research team will also take a deep swab from your child's nose and a blood sample. These samples will help us understand the whooping cough bacteria and your child's immune response. There are no study medications involved. The total duration of participation for each child will depend on their individual illness but generally involves these initial collections. There won't be multiple follow-up visits specifically for the study, beyond their standard medical care.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (14)
- CHU de BordeauxVerified postcodeBordeaux, France· Not yet recruiting
- Hôpital Louis MourierVerified postcodeColombes, France· Recruiting
- Centre hospitalier intercommunal de CréteilVerified postcodeCréteil, France· Not yet recruiting
- Hôpital Roger SalengoVerified postcodeLille, France· Recruiting
- Hospices Civils de LyonVerified postcodeLyon, France· Recruiting
- Hôpital de la Timone Enfants, APHMVerified postcodeMarseille, France· Recruiting
- Hôpital Nord, APHMVerified postcodeMarseille, France· Recruiting
- CHU de NantesVerified postcodeNantes, France· Not yet recruiting
- CHU Armand TrousseauVerified postcodeParis, France· Recruiting
- Hopital NeckerVerified postcodeParis, France· Recruiting
- Hôpital Robert DebréVerified postcodeParis, France· Not yet recruiting
- CHU RouenVerified postcodeRouen, France· Not yet recruiting
Common questions
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing fits, making it hard to breathe. It can be very serious, especially for babies.
Why is this study important?
This study is important because it aims to understand why whooping cough is becoming more common and severe, particularly in babies. This information could lead to better ways to prevent and treat the illness.
Will my child receive any new medication?
No, this study does not involve giving any new medications. It focuses on collecting information and samples to understand the disease better.
How long will my child be in the study?
Participation for your child will involve the initial collection of samples and health information. There won't be ongoing study visits beyond that.
Can I change my mind about my child participating?
Yes, you can withdraw your child from the study at any time, for any reason, and it will not affect their medical care.
How to find out more
Julie Toubiana, MD
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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