NCT03610802 · National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Send-In Sample Collection to Achieve Genetic and Immunologic Characterization of Primary Immunodeficiencies
What this study is about
Background: The immune system helps the body fight infections. Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) are diseases that make it easier for people to get sick. Many PIDs are inherited. This means parents can pass them on to their children. Knowing what causes a person s PID is important to decide what treatment to give them.
View original scientific description
Background: The immune system helps the body fight infections. Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) are diseases that make it easier for people to get sick. Many PIDs are inherited. This means parents can pass them on to their children. Knowing what causes a person s PID is important to decide what treatment to give them. Objective: To test samples from people with a PID or people related to someone with a PID to find out what causes PIDs. Eligibility: People ages 99 or younger who have a PID or have a relative with a PID Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history over the phone. They may need to give permission for researchers talk to their doctors about their health. Their relatives may be contacted to see if they want to join the study. Participants will give samples. These could be: Blood: Participants blood will be taken from a vein in an arm, or with a prick on the finger or heel for children. Saliva, urine, or stool: Participants will provide each sample in a special cup. Nose or cheek swab: Participants will rub the skin inside their nose or cheek using a cotton swab. Cord blood: If participants have a baby during the study, blood will be collected from the baby s umbilical cord after it is born. Samples from medical procedures: If, during the study, the participants have a medical procedure that collects samples, the samples may be used for the study.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Participants enrolled onto this protocol must meet all of the following criteria:
- Age 0-99 years.
- Meets 1 of the following criteria:
- Patient with a clinical diagnosis of a form of PID (either known or suspected). PID may be defined by laboratory and/or clinical findings on 2 or more occasions that are consistent with a defect in innate or adaptive immunity. Specific PIDs are defined by the guidelines of the International Union of Immunological Societies.
- Biological relative of an individual meeting criterion 2a, with no clinical evidence of having a PID. Relatives may be mother, father, siblings, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or first cousins to an individual with a known or suspected PID.
- Able to provide informed consent.
- Willing to allow genetic testing and allow biospecimens to be modified into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
- Willing to allow storage of samples and data for future research.
Exclusion criteria
- Individuals meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from study participation:
- History of secondary causes of immunodeficiency (eg, HIV infection, immunodeficiency from chronic use of immunosuppressive or chemotherapeutic agents), at the discretion of the investigator.
- Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, contraindicates participation in this study. INCLUSION/EXCLUSION OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS: Children: Children are eligible to participate in this study because PIDs may present in early childhood and results of some research tests may inform participants future medical care. Additionally, the study poses no more than minimal risk. Pregnant women and neonates: Pregnant women can participate in this study. Research testing on samples from pregnant women may help us learn about changes in the immune systems of immunodeficient patients during pregnancy, which is important knowledge that could not be obtained from nonpregnant individuals. Research testing of pregnant women with known or suspected PIDs could provide insight into the fetus s health risks, which may help guide clinical management during and after pregnancy. We may request cord blood samples at delivery to process right away or freeze. Cord blood is a unique source of stromal cells that may be characterized or modified for research purposes. Additionally, this study poses no more than minimal risk, including to participants who are pregnant and their fetuses. Similarly, neonates (including nonviable neonates or those of uncertain viability) may be enrolled in this study as it does not involve more than minimal risk and blood volumes will be limited based on the clinical status of each participant. Each individual providing consent will be fully informed regarding the reasonably foreseeable impact of the research on the neonate, and individuals engaged in the research will have no part in determining the viability of a neonate. Further, neonates of uncertain viability are eligible because all the following criteria are met:
- Many PIDs are rare and present early in life, and it is possible that the manifestations of a known or suspected PID may impact the viability of the neonate. Research testing of neonates with known or suspected PIDs could provide insight into current and future health risks, which may provide guidance for medical management and thus benefit the neonate and possibly enhance the probability of survival.
- The only risks of study participation are the risks of blood draw. When possible, blood for this study will be collected at the time of clinically indicated blood draws so that there is no additional needlestick, and blood volumes will be limited based on the clinical status of each participant. Collection of blood is the only possible method to conduct the research testing under this protocol that may directly benefit the neonate by revealing insights about health risks and medical management. Thus, the risk is the least possible for achieving that objective.
- The legally effective informed consent of either parent of the neonate or, if neither parent is able to consent because of unavailability, incompetence, or temporary incapacity, the legally effective informed consent of either parent's legally authorized representative is obtained, except that the consent of the father or his legally authorized representative need not be obtained if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. Nonviable neonates are also eligible because all the following criteria are met:
- Vital functions of the neonate will not be artificially maintained.
- The research will not terminate the heartbeat or respiration of the neonate.
- Blood will only be collected from nonviable neonates at the time of clinically indicated blood draws so that there is no additional needlestick, and blood volumes will be limited based on the clinical status of each participant. Therefore, there will be no added risk to the neonate resulting from the research.
- As described above, many known or suspected PIDs are rare and can present early during life, and it is possible that their manifestations may impact the viability of the neonate. This protocol aims to achieve characterization of such disorders, and this aim could not be achieved for certain disorders if nonviable neonates are excluded. Thus, the purpose of the research is the development of important biomedical knowledge that cannot be obtained by other means.
- The legally effective informed consent of both parents of the neonate will be obtained. Decisionally impaired adults: Adults who are unable to consent are excluded from study participation. Enrolled participants who temporarily lose the ability to consent during study participation may continue in the study in accordance with NIH Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) Policy 403 Research with Subjects Lacking Capacity to Consent; the study poses no more than minimal risk and may hold a prospect of direct benefit as results of some research tests may inform participants future medical care. However, enrolled participants who permanently lose the ability to consent during study participation will be withdrawn.
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jun 24, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations