Infect study
For the infect study, which investigates the influence of a viral respiratory infection on the IMMAX (Immune Age Index), we are looking for participants aged 18 and over.
The IMMAX is a measure of a person's immunological age. Immune age, for example, appears to correlate better with physical fitness than chronological age. The IMMAX is determined by the quantity and ratio of certain immune cells in the blood. It is not yet known whether an uncomplicated viral infection, such as the occasional cold, affects this immune age index and may even cause our immune system to “age” permanently.
This is where this project comes in and compares a person's IMMAX before, during the acute phase and after a respiratory infection.
The study consists of 4 short appointments.
The first appointment consists of filling out a questionnaire about your personal data (gender, date of birth, height, weight, long-term medication, time of last respiratory infection, time of last vaccination) and symptoms. A blood sample of 2.6 ml is then taken, from which we determine the immune age. The time required for the first appointment is therefore approx. 20 minutes and you will get 10€ compensation.
The subsequent appointments will only take place if you agree to let us know in the event of an infection and then come to us 3 more times. The 3 further appointments are essentially the same as the initial test and take place within the first 72 hours (a nasopharyngeal swab is also carried out here), after 1 week and after 4 weeks. Each appointment lasts approx. 15 minutes.
There is 10€ compensation for each appointment in the event of an infection and 40€ if all 3 appointments are complete.
- Age: 18 and over
- Knowledge of German or English that enables verbal information and written consent
- No moderate or intensive sporting activity in the last 24 hours before every blood sampling
- No acute infection or previous viral respiratory infection in the last 4 weeks before the first appointment
- No vaccination with an inactivated vaccine within the last 10 days or with a live vaccine in the last 4 weeks
- No known autoimmune disease or cancer
- No medication that affects immune cell count or function (e.g. immunosuppressants, immunomodulating substances, glucocorticoids (cortisone and similar substances), anticoagulants (blood thinners)), no medication for hyperthyroidism in the last week
- No simultaneous participation in drug research studies
Dates: individual
Location: IfADo, Ardeystraße 67, 44139 Dortmund or Institute for Sport and Sport Science at TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Straße 3, 44227 Dortmund
If you are interested, please contact us at trebing@ifado.de