Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal experimental carriage study of attenuated strains to assess whether reducing the ability of this bacteria to cause illness can assist in improving immunity
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN22467293 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN22467293 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 39034 |
- Submission date
- 24/09/2018
- Registration date
- 27/09/2018
- Last edited
- 09/10/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Infections and Infestations
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria is the most common cause of pneumonia. The presence of this bacteria in the nose/throat stimulates the body’s immune system and can prevent future colonisation that could lead to illness when we are vulnerable. The live bacteria can be altered to make it safer to administer by removing the genes linked to infection. Current vaccines given to adults do not use live bacteria and are not effective at preventing lung infections. The aim of this study is to determine whether pneumococcal lung infections linked to pneumonia could be prevented by spraying the nose of healthy volunteers with live pneumococcal bacteria to boost the immune system.
Who can participate?
Healthy volunteers aged 18 – 50
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of four groups to compare two types of genetically altered bacteria with two control groups: i) the normal pneumococcus bacteria naturally found in healthy people, and ii) a saline (salt water) control group. Samples are collected, for example nasal wash fluid and blood, to assess the immune response and presence of the bacteria. After about six months the researchers monitor whether their immune response prevents the naturally found bacteria from being carried in the nose.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
In future these data may contribute to the development of a live vaccine in particular for higher risk groups including adults aged over 65 or with respiratory (lung) conditions. Over the last nine years eleven studies of this bacteria have been conducted in healthy volunteers in Liverpool. Over 1000 healthy adults have taken part in studies where the naturally found bacteria were put in their nose safely with no serious side effects. There is a very small risk of infection to participants or their close contacts. A safety leaflet explains what to do if they feel unwell or have symptoms, and a thermometer is provided. The researchers check that participants are at a low risk of infection then monitor them closely. Antibiotics are provided to treat symptoms without delay if required. Participants are advised not to become pregnant during the study and to tell the research team if they do. The only side effect of nasal wash is a little discomfort and some experience a runny nose. Sampling nasal cells can cause a little discomfort, a spot of blood from the scratch, or may trigger a response to briefly make your eyes water. Sampling nasal fluid causes little if any discomfort. Some people can feel light-headed when giving a blood sample and sometimes they may have a bruise.
Where is the study run from?
1. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK)
2. Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2018 to June 2020
Who is funding the study?
Medical Research Council (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Helen Hill
Helen.hill@lstmed.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Respiratory Research
Accelerator Building
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom
| Helen.hill@lstmed.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Prevention, Other |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Other |
| Study type | Prevention |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN22467293_PIS_V2.0_July2018.docx |
| Scientific title | Experimental Human Pneumococcal Challenge (EHPC) Model: Streptococcus pneumoniae Nasopharyngeal Experimental carriage study of Attenuated Strains (SNEAS) – proof of concept in healthy adults: working towards vaccines for pneumonia, a single-blind randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | SNEAS |
| Study hypothesis | Hypotheses: Intranasal administration of live attenuated S. pneumoniae to humans improves mucosal immunity and prevents colonisation with wild type S. pneumoniae (associated with pneumonia in vulnerable groups). |
| Ethics approval(s) | Liverpool East Research Ethics Committee, 03/09/2018, ref: 18/NW/0481 |
| Condition | Streptococcus pneumoniae infection |
| Intervention | A single blind randomised controlled trial design allows an unbiased methods for comparison of four groups comparing S. pneumoniae i) attenuated strain I, ii) attenuated strain, II iii) wild type bacteria (control), and v) saline (control). The laboratory team are blinded for Stage II at the time of assessing carriage as the detection of the wild type S. pneumoniae in nasal washes is the primary outcome. As such there is no need to blind the participant or clinical team. Justification of control: this provides a comparison of symptoms for example that may be influenced by seasonal changes over the period of the study. Clinical visits will take place in the dedicated research facility: Accelerator Research Clinic in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. This is an adaptive trial design with an interim analysis. In the event that one strain does not show either carriage or immune response then the TSC will determine whether to replace this rather than continue with a strain that is unlikely to be effective as a potential vaccine. The strain is attenuated with the intention of making it safer by removing genes associated with illness. Pre-clinical data in mice suggests this strain will stimulate an immune response and this research will evaluate whether this translates to humans. Procedures to reduce bias: the trial will be single blind achieved by blinding the laboratory staff who assess the primary outcome in stage II. Participants are randomised to one of four arms including two control arms. Recruitment: The target is to complete 108 participants, up to 150 may be screened to achieve this as we anticipate 1: 10 will already have pneumococcus in their nose 'natural carriers' (it is commonly found in the nose of healthy adults and more common in children). Also, a higher drop out rate than in previous studies is anticipated due to the 6-month interval between stage I and II. Group size calculations using two-tailed T tests and 80% power (5% statistical significance) show that to detect a reduction in the proportion of subjects colonised from 50% for the negative control group to 15% on challenge for the attenuated strain groups needs 27 completed subjects per group. To allow for drop out or to replace an arm due to futility the aim is to recruit up to a total of 150 subjects with no planned sex bias. Healthy volunteers will be identified consistent with the EHPC previous studies: 1. Local public areas or events such as freshers fairs 2. Physical notice boards, table displays and other public display areas 3. Electronic notice boards 4. The intranet/internet of local universities, colleges, LSTM and RLBUHT 5. Social media including Facebook and Twitter 6. Local press, television and radio 7. RLBUHT Consent for Consent Database 8. Electoral roll, mail leaflet with letter Information may be sent to those who register their interst in research on the C4C data base at Royal Liverpool Hospital. Potential participants will be given a participant information sheet, invited to attend a short presentation then be invited to consent by a registered health professional. The consent process is consistent with GCP allowing volunteers to voluntarily participate who are eligible and have the capacity to consent and inform the team of any health issues during the study. Consent will be taken by nursing and medical staff who are competent ( trained in consent and the protocol) and delegated the role by the CI. Participants will attend the following clinic visits: Stage I: screening, randomisation then seven follow up visits. Stage II: screening, inoculation with the wild type bacteria then three follow up visits Screening: this health check will confirm their medical history, monitor vital signs, and baseline samples. Sample schedule: on each visit samples include nasal wash (squirting 5ml of water into the nose then letting it drip out). Blood samples may be taken within the guidance of no more than 50 ml per visit or 185 ml per month recommended for research. Following the interim analysis further samples may be added for example home samples (saliva and putting nasosorption paper in the nose) or have rhinoporbe samples (small scratch in the nose with a small probe (toothpick)). Shedding: swabs of the hand may be taken to determine if bacteria move from the nose to the hand. |
| Intervention type | Biological/Vaccine |
| Pharmaceutical study type(s) | |
| Phase | Not Applicable |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Not provided at time of registration |
| Primary outcome measure | The efficacy of nasal administration of attenuated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains to induce mucosal immunity thereby prevent future colonisation with wild type Streptococcus pneumoniae using the Experimental Human Pneumococcal Challenge Model; Timepoint(s): Participants are challenged with the wild type 6B at six months post inoculation. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Antibodies and cellular adaptive immune responses local and systemic to S. pneumoniae pre and post colonisation 2. The presence, density and duration of pneumococcus measured using classical microbiological and qPCR techniques on nasal wash collected following inoculation on day, 2, 6, 16, 22, 27 or 36 and after challenge on day 2, 6 or 14 3. Sequencing and in vitro testing of bacteria recovered to ensure genome and phenotypic stability 4. Presence of S. pneumoniae in nasal wash following cultures when carriage positive at each study visit 2, 6, 16, 22, 27 or 36 and after challenge on day 2, 6 or 14 5. Presence of S. pneumoniae on hand swabs or culture plate following standard microbiology cultures when carriage positive at selected visits subject to carriage status |
| Overall study start date | 01/06/2018 |
| Overall study end date | 30/06/2020 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | Planned Sample Size: 150; UK Sample Size: 150 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Healthy volunteers 2. Age 18 – 50 years 3. Capacity to give informed consent 4. Ability to speak fluent English |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Research participant currently involved in another study unless observational or non-interventional 2. Participant in a previous EHPC trial 3. Natural carriers of S. pneumoniae identified following initial screening* 4. Vaccination: pneumococcal vaccination (routine in UK babies born since 2005 or US 2001) 5. Allergic to penicillin, amoxicillin 6. Health history: 6.1. Chronic ill health including, immunosuppressive history, diabetes, asthma (on regular medication), recurrent otitis media or other respiratory disease 6.2. Medication that may affect the immune system or clotting e.g. steroids, inflammation altering (e.g. nasal steroids, roacutane or aspirin) 6.3. Recent antibiotics (within the last 4 weeks or long term for known active chronic infection) 6.4. Splenectomy 6.5. Current acute severe febrile illness 6.6. Major pneumococcal illness requiring hospitalization 6.7. Other conditions considered by the clinical team as a concern for participant safety or integrity of the study 7. Direct caring role or close contact with individuals at higher risk of infection: 7.1. Children under 5 years age 7.2. Chronic ill health or immunosuppressed adults 7.3. Adults over the age of 75 years 8. Smoker: 8.1. Current or ex-smoker in the last 6 months 8.2. Significant smoking history - more than 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years or the equivalent (> 10 pack years) 9. Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) who are: 9.1. Not deemed to have sufficient/effective birth control or confirmed abstinence 9.2. Pregnant 10. History of drug or alcohol abuse (at discretion of the clinician) 11. Overseas travel planned in follow up period (if unplanned contact team) |
| Recruitment start date | 01/10/2018 |
| Recruitment end date | 31/03/2020 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centres
Accelerator Building
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom
Liverpool
L7 8XP
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
c/o Carl Henry, Research and Governance Manager
Liverpool
-
United Kingdom
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/03svjbs84 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Research council
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- Medical Research Council (United Kingdom), UK Medical Research Council, MRC
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 30/06/2021 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal. |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Professor Daniella Ferreira (Daniella.Ferreira@lstmed.ac.uk). Summary datasets generated and/or will be included in the subsequent results publication. The data-sharing plans for the current study will be made available at a later date. Participants consent on the understanding that their data will be anonymised if accessed by others not directly in the clinical team. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | version V2.0 | 27/09/2018 | No | Yes | |
| Results article | 12/01/2021 | 07/01/2022 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Results article | 09/08/2023 | 09/10/2024 | Yes | No |
Additional files
- ISRCTN22467293_PIS_V2.0_July2018.docx
- Uploaded 27/09/2018
Editorial Notes
09/10/2024: Proactive update review. Added pub.
07/01/2022: Publication reference added.
28/03/2019: The condition has been changed from "Specialty: Respiratory Disorders, Primary sub-specialty: Pulmonary fibrosis / interstitial lung disease; Health Category: Infection, Inflammatory and immune system; Disease/Condition: Other bacterial diseases, Certain disorders involving the immune mechanism" to "Streptococcus pneumoniae infection" following a request from the NIHR. The condition category has been changed from 'Respiratory' to 'Infections and Infestations'.
27/09/2018: The participant information sheet has been uploaded.
