← Back to Clinical Trials
Recruiting Phase 1 NCT05706116

NCT05706116 Controlled Human Infection Study of Orally Administered Trichuris Trichiura Eggs in Naïve Adults

◆ AI Clinical Summary
Plain-language summary for patients
Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05706116
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 1
Sponsor George Washington University
Condition Whipworm
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 18 participants
Start Date 2025-09-10
Primary Completion 2027-10-23

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 45 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Trichuris trichiura Egg Inoculum

Eligibility Fast-Check

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

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

Phase 1 is the earliest stage of human testing — safety and dosage are the primary focus. Visits are frequent and medical supervision is intensive. You will be among the first people to receive this treatment.

This trial targets 18 participants in total. It began in 2025-09-10 with a primary completion date of 2027-10-23.

⚠ 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

A Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) is being developed to provide early proof-of-concept that experimental infection with the intestinal nematode, Trichuris trichiura, is feasible and safe. The proposed model consists of enrolling consenting, healthy, trichuriasis-naïve adults and challenging them with the investigational product, Trichuris trichiura Egg Inoculum, to assess their ability to result in detectable infection. The proposed study will be a feasibility study that will consist of administering different doses of the Trichuris trichiura Egg Inoculum to healthy adult volunteers to determine the optimal dose (i.e., number of T. trichiura eggs) that is safe, well-tolerated and results in consistent infection.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males or females between 18 and 45 years, inclusive. 2. Good general health as determined by means of the screening procedures. 3. Available for the duration of the trial (approximately 7.5 months). 4. Willingness to participate in the study as evidenced by signing the informed consent document. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy as determined by a positive urine human choriogonadotropin (hCG) (if female). 2. Participant unwilling to use reliable contraception methods while participating in the study (if female of reproductive potential who is engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy); being of reproductive potential is defined as not being surgically sterile, abstinent from intercourse with a male partner, in a monogamous relationship with a vasectomized partner, at least 2 years post-menopausal, or determined otherwise by medical evaluation to be sterile. 3. Currently lactating and breast-feeding (if female). 4. Evidence of clinically significant neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, rheumatologic, autoimmune, diabetes, or renal disease by history, physical examination, and/or laboratory studies. 5. Has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disease or other major psychiatric condition that would make compliance with study visits/procedures difficult (e.g., subject with psychoses or history of suicide attempt or gesture in the 3 years before study entry, ongoing risk for suicide). 6. Known or suspected immunodeficiency or immunosuppression as a result of an underlying illness or treatment. 7. Laboratory evidence of liver disease (alanine aminotransferase \[ALT\] greater than 1.25-times the upper reference limit). 8. Laboratory evidence of renal disease (serum creatinine greater than 1.25-times the upper reference limit). 9. Laboratory evidence of hematologic disease (hemoglobin \<11.1 g/dl \[females\] or \<12.5 g/dl \[males\]; absolute leukocyte count \<3.4 or \>11.0 x 103/mm3; absolute eosinophil count \>0.6 x 103/mm3 or platelet count \<125 x 103/mm3). 10. Positive fecal occult blood test. 11. Infection with a pathogenic intestinal helminth as determined by stool examination for ova and parasites. 12. History of iron deficiency anemia or laboratory evidence of iron deficiency (serum ferritin concentration below the lower reference limit). 13. Other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize the safety or rights of a volunteer participating in the trial or would render the participant unable to comply with the protocol. 14. Volunteer has had medical, occupational, or family problems as a result of alcohol or illicit drug use during the past 24 months. 15. Positive ELISA for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). 16. Positive confirmatory test for HIV infection. 17. Positive confirmatory test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. 18. Using or intends to continue using oral or parenteral corticosteroids, high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (\>800 μg/day of beclomethasone dipropionate or equivalent) or other immunosuppressive or cytotoxic drugs within 30 days of the volunteer's expected enrollment in this study or planned use during the study. 19. Known allergy to albendazole. 20. History of previous infection with T. trichiura or continuous residence for more than 6 months in a T. trichiura-endemic area.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

David Diemert, MD

✉ ddiemert@gwu.edu

📞 202-994-2909

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05706116 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 45 Years, studying Whipworm. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT05706116 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 1 trials are the first stage of human testing. The primary goal is to assess safety and determine appropriate dosage levels. Participants are closely monitored. These trials typically involve a small number of volunteers.

Is NCT05706116 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05706116 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at ddiemert@gwu.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05706116 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Washington D.C., United States, Bethesda, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05706116 clinical trial?

NCT05706116 is sponsored by George Washington University. The trial plans to enroll 18 participants.

Related Trials

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