Identification of Viruses Associated With Diseases of Unknown Cause
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00359268 |
Recruitment Status :
Terminated
(Slow/insufficient accrual)
First Posted : August 2, 2006
Last Update Posted : March 26, 2020
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
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 or disease |
---|
Viral Diseases |
Study Type : | Observational |
Actual Enrollment : | 59 participants |
Observational Model: | Other |
Time Perspective: | Prospective |
Official Title: | Identification of Novel Viruses |
Actual Study Start Date : | May 8, 2001 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | March 23, 2020 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | March 23, 2020 |
Group/Cohort |
---|
1
Any patient with a condition or disease whose etiology is unknown.
|
- The purpose of this protocol is to obtain blood, body fluids, skin or mucosal biopsies, or discarded pathologic specimens from patients with diseases or syndromes of unknown etiology. [ Time Frame: Ongoing ]Experimental studies will be performed on blood, body fluids, or discarded tissue specimens. Better understanding of the diseases of unknown etiology, improved diagnostic tests, and possible new treatments for diseases.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | Child, Adult, Older Adult |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Any patient with a condition or disease whose etiology is unknown.
Adequate venous access.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
None

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00359268
United States, Maryland | |
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike | |
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892 |
Principal Investigator: | Jeffrey I Cohen, M.D. | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
Publications:
Responsible Party: | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00359268 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
010161 01-I-0161 |
First Posted: | August 2, 2006 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 26, 2020 |
Last Verified: | March 2020 |
Polymerase Chain Reaction Random Priming Nucleic Acid Viral Genome |
Virus Diseases |