CMVVASC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
CMV specific immunity and vascular stiffness
IRAS ID
132126
Contact name
Florian Kern
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
About 65% of older people carry a virus called Cytomegalovirus (‘CMV’), but generally, this does not make them ill. However, some researchers believe that CMV-infection plays a role in speeding up the development of blood vessel disease in about 20% of infected people, leading to high blood pressure, heart disease, or even stroke. We now wish to confirm this and examine if it is related to their body’s defences (‘immune response’) against CMV. In a recently completed project we have already gathered 130 research-interested older people and studied their immune responses to CMV in great detail. In this group and additional participants we wish to examine if there is a link between CMV-infection, the strength of the immune response to it and the degree of hardening of the arteries. If we can confirm this we can design a test to identify the group that would benefit most from treating CMV-infection.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1270
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion