Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Host Defense Against Vaccinia Virus

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Atopic Dermatitis

Study type: Observational

Funder types: NIH

Identifiers

NCT00407069

DAIT ADVN AMP 01

Details and patient eligibility

About

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by recurrent viral skin infections. Recent studies have demonstrated that the skin of people with AD my have decreased antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression. The purpose of this study is to compare smallpox virus replication and the number of AMPs and other antiviral molecules in people with AD, as compared to those seen in people with psoriasis or asthma, or healthy individuals.

Full description

AD is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by frequent viral skin infections. Recent studies have found that components in the skin of people with AD may block AMP expression. AMPs are responsible for preventing infection from viruses. The purpose of this study is to examine smallpox virus replication and AMP expression in the skin of patients with AD as well as identify other antiviral molecules involved in immune response. These findings will be compared with those of people with psoriasis or asthma, or healthy individuals. This study will consist of one study visit at which skin and blood samples will be taken.

Enrollment: 286 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 2+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Participants With AD:

• 2 years of age or older
• History of active or inactive AD OR eczema herpeticum, as defined by the ADVN standardized diagnostic criteria
• Parent or guardian willing to provide informed consent, if applicable
• Male or female of any race and ethnicity

Inclusion Criteria for Participants With Asthma or Psoriasis, and for non-atopic controls:

• 18 years or older
• History of psoriasis OR history of asthma not requiring systemic medications
• Parent or guardian willing to provide informed consent, if applicable
• Male or female of any race and ethnicity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Oral corticosteroids or any systemic immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medication within 28 days prior to study entry
• Immunotherapy within 3 months prior to study entry
• History of bleeding disorder
• Aspirin, oral antihistamines, oral antibiotics, oral cyclosporine, or topical medications within 7 days of screening visit including, but not restricted to, Protopic, Elidel, topical corticosteroids, and topical antibiotics
• Anxiolytic agents and antidepressants within 2 days of screening visit
• Diabetic requiring medication
• Autoimmune or immunodeficiency
• Active fungal, bacterial, or viral infections within 7 days prior to study entry
• Active systemic cancer. Participants with uncomplicated nonmelanoma skin cancer are not excluded.
• Theophylline or leukotriene antagonists within 24 hours of screening visit
• Received any vaccination within 30 days prior to study entry
• Known lidocaine allergy
• Previously vaccinated for smallpox
• Pregnant or breastfeeding

Trial design

286 participants in 6 patient groups

Active Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Description:

Pediatric and adult subjects who fulfill the criteria for AD, a chronic inflammatory skin disease.

Inactive Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Description:

Adult subjects with a prior history of active AD that has been quiescent for at least 1 year.

Psoriatics

Description:

Adult subjects who fulfill the criteria for plaque psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease.

Asthmatics (without a history of AD)

Description:

Adult subjects who fulfill the criteria for asthma (reactive airway disease) and have a negative history of skin disease.

Eczema Herpeticum (EH

Description:

Pediatric and adult AD subjects with a history of EH.

Healthy Volunteers

Description:

Healthy individuals with no history of skin or respiratory disease.