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 continue to recruit for the RSV PROMISE Study, in which we either vaccinate against RSV during pregnancy, wait to give an RSV monoclonal antibody at birth, or a combination of both. We will be recruiting for this study through March 2025.
We are also recruiting individuals with current S. aureus and C. difficile infections as part of efforts to create novel therapeutics and preventive strategies.
We anticipate starting studies of influenza A/H5 (bird flu) very soon.
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 showed that 5 days of antibiotics were superior to 10 days for the treatment of uncomplicated pneumonia in children.
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 found that, in general, extending the length of infusion time was associated with higher likelihood of hitting levels needed to successfully eradicate resistant bacteria.
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 used 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. DTP led to immunologic responses that were distinct from DTaP vaccine, leading to a more Th1 and Th17 response than DTaP.
5. Pre-pandemic influenza trials (DMID 17-0076, 17-0077, 17-0090, 14-0015, and 10-0074): A series of studies were 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 enrolled 50 adult volunteers who received either an intranasal pertussis vaccine or placebo in an effort to improve pertussis immunogenicity. The BPZE1 vaccine is now moving into larger Phase 3 trials in children.
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 vaccinated children with asthma who were 5-11 years of age with either LAIV or IIV (intramuscular vaccine). LAIV did not lead to a higher number of wheezing events in this study and should be considered an option for children with asthma.