FluAGE: influenza-specific immunity in chronic HIV infection
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FluAGE: To test the impact of chronic immune activation in treated HIV infection on the cellular and humoral response to seasonal influenza vaccination
IRAS ID
229655
Contact name
Katrina Pollock
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 28 days
Research summary
Chronic viral infections are becoming more commonplace within our ageing population. Earlier research suggests that having such an infection may increase some of the processes of ageing within the immune system, despite treatment. This can have a damaging effect on the ability to effectively fight other infections such as influenza. This study examines whether this ageing effect in patients with treated HIV infection affects their immune system’s ability to respond to seasonal influenza vaccination. The annual 'flu vaccine is recommended as part of normal care for all patients with HIV infection.
Patients with HIV who started treatment very soon after infection will be compared with those who only started treatment after months or years of infection. The participants will be males in whom HIV infection has been fully suppressed by treatment. They will be compared with similarly aged healthy volunteers from the same ethnic background. These groups have been chosen to minimise the effect of gender and ethnicity, which can have a powerful effect on the outcomes we are studying.
The study will be conducted at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London. It will last 7 months during the 2017-8 flu season. Participants will be asked to provide a blood sample before receiving their seasonal flu vaccine. There will be two follow up visits for further blood tests 7 and 28 days after the flu vaccine.
Yearly seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for persons living with HIV infection in national guidance (British HIV Association). Receiving this vaccine will not affect these participants’ routine clinical care. The vaccine is widely recommended for other adults at risk of contracting influenza e.g. healthcare workers and can be safely administered to those without HIV infection.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1311
Date of REC Opinion
15 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion