Please see a list of some of the studies we are currently conducting. If you would like any information about these studies, please contact us at vaccineresearch@vumc.org
Ongoing Studies
NIH-sponsored studies
We are engaged in a number of COVID-specific studies that seek to identify optimal treatment strategies for patients with COVID, as well as studies that evaluate vaccine candidates for SARS-CoV-2. Please click here to volunteer for COVID-related vaccine studies.
Industry-sponsored studies
1. Bezlotoxumab PK in children (Merck): We are recruiting children with C. difficile disease to receive a single dose of an FDA-approved (adults) monoclonal antibody that may reduce the frequency of recurrent C. difficile disease.
Recently Completed Studies
NIH-funded studies
1. SCOUT-CAP (DMID 14-0079): In this study, we compared 5 days of antibiotics to 10 days of antibiotics in children 6 months - 6 years of age with community acquired pneumonia. Data will be available Fall 2020.
2. CF PK/PD (DMID 16-0078): We enrolled children and adults with cystic fibrosis who were receiving either cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, or meropenem. We are evaluating blood concentrations of these beta-lactam antibiotics to determine optimal dosing strategies.
3. ICU PK/PD (DMID 16-0077): A companion study to DMID 16-0078, this study measured the variability of target dose achievement in critically ill adults.
4. Pertussis in Peru (DMID 13-0090): In this study, we are using ribosome profiling and RNA-sequencing to evaluate the immune response following administration of either whole cell pertussis vaccine (DTP) or acellular vaccine (DTaP) in infants. The study was conducted with our colleagues Claudio Lanata and Mariana Leguia in Lima, Peru.
5. Pre-pandemic influenza trials (DMID 17-0076, 17-0077, 17-0090, 14-0015, and 10-0074): A series of studies were recently completed that evaluate the immune response to avian influenza strains. We have employed a systems vaccinology approach to both A/H5N1 and A/H7N9, seeking to understand the mechanism of action of novel adjuvants and biomarker-based approaches to predicting immunogenicity.
6. Live Attenuated Pertussis Vaccine (DMID 17-0010): We recently enrolled 50 adult volunteers who received either an intranasal pertussis vaccine or placebo in an effort to improve pertussis immunogenicity.
CDC-funded studies
1. LAIV in Asthma Patients: LAIV (FluMist) is a live, intranasal influenza vaccine. In young children, LAIV has been associated with wheezing. In this study, we will vaccinate children with asthma who are 5-11 years of age with either LAIV or IIV (intramuscular vaccine). The primary goal is to evaluate the frequency of wheezing, if any, in both groups.
Human Vaccine Project (HVP)-funded studies
1. UIVI-001: This was the first study conducted as part of the Universal Influenza Vaccine Initiative, led by Dr. Buddy Creech and Dr. Jim Crowe. In this first study, 10 volunteers received standard influenza vaccine (Flucelvax) and had comprehensive assessments of their immune response in the hours and days following vaccination. In addition, lymph node biopsies and bone marrow aspirates were performed in order to evaluate the tissue-specific immune responses that vaccination elicits.