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Recruiting NCT03449706

NCT03449706 Accurate Staging of Immuno-virological Dynamics During Acute HIV Infection

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT03449706
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor University Hospital, Ghent
Condition HIV
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment 70 participants
Start Date 2017-09-01
Primary Completion 2028-01-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 65 Years
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Interventions
Early combination anti-retroviral treatment

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.

This trial targets 70 participants in total. It began in 2017-09-01 with a primary completion date of 2028-01-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

In this prospective longitudinal study we aim to assess how immunologic and viral aspects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral reservoir, established during early HIV infection and responsible for viral rebound at treatment interruption, evolve in individuals who start combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) during acute seroconversion. Recently infected patients will be selected based on Fiebig staging for an in depth sampling protocol at different timepoints during a 2 year follow up period. Colonbiopsies, lymphnode resection, lumbar puncture, leucapheresis and repeated peripheral venous blood-draws will be performed. Immunological, virological and genome expression analysis will be performed on the gathered samples.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Documented recent HIV-1 infection, early diagnosis: clinical symptoms of acute seroconversion and incomplete Western Blot OR negative screening test within the past 6 months and incomplete Western Blot OR risk contact within the 3 months and presumable primo-infection with or without clinical symptoms and incomplete Western Blot * Able and willing to provide written informed consent * Ability to attend the complete schedule of assessments and patient visits for patients participating in option A schedule (described below), or ability to attend a partial schedule of assessments and patient visits for patients participating in option B (described below). * Ability and willingness to have blood and tissue samples collected and stored indefinitely and used for various research purposes. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous or current history of opportunistic infection (AIDS defining events as defined in category C of the CDC clinical classification), consisting of chronic HIV-1 infection. * Evidence of active HBV infection (Hepatitis B surface antigen positive or HBV viral load positive in the past and no evidence of subsequent seroconversion (=HBV antigen or viral load negative and positive HBV surface antibody). * Evidence of active HCV infection: HCV antibody positive result within 60 days prior to study entry with positive HCV viral load or, if the HCV antibody result is negative, a positive HCV RNA result within 60 days prior to study entry. * Current or known history of cardiomyopathy or significant ischemic or cerebrovascular disease. * Current history of cancer. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Any conditions, including psychiatric and psychological disorders, which will in the opinion of the investigator interfere with the trial conduct or safety of the participant. * Previous participation in a trial evaluating an immune modulating agent * Abnormal laboratory tests results at screening: confirmed Hemoglobin \<11g/dl for women and \<12 g:dl for men/ confirmed platelet count \< 100000/l / confirmed neutrophil count \<1000/μl/ confirmed AST and/or ALT \> 3xULN * Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements. * Acute or serious illness, in the opinion of the site investigator, requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 60 days prior to entry.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Linos Vandekerckhove, Prof. Dr.

✉ linos.vandekerckhove@ugent.be

📞 +3293323398

Principal Investigator

Linos Vandekerckhove, Prof. Dr.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital, Ghent

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT03449706 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying HIV. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT03449706 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT03449706 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at linos.vandekerckhove@ugent.be for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT03449706 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Ghent, Belgium.

Who is sponsoring the NCT03449706 clinical trial?

NCT03449706 is sponsored by University Hospital, Ghent. The principal investigator is Linos Vandekerckhove, Prof. Dr. at University Hospital, Ghent. The trial plans to enroll 70 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology