Cigarette Smoke and Susceptibility to Influenza Infection

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill138 enrolled

Overview

This study will be a descriptive comparison of the effects of live attenuated influenza virus (FluMist) on nasal inflammation and oxidative stress in healthy young adults who are not exposed to smoke vs smokers. It is hypothesized that passive exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) results in increased susceptibility to the effects of influenza virus in nasal epithelium in humans and that these effects are mediated by SHS-induced oxidative stress

Epidemiologic evidence supports a significant relationship between passive cigarette smoke exposure and increased risk for viral respiratory illnesses. Published and preliminary data suggest that airborne pollutants including tobacco smoke increase susceptibility of respiratory epithelium to infection with influenza A and that this effect is at least partially mediated by oxidative stress. However, no studies have specifically looked at the interaction between smoking and the effects of influenza virus in human volunteers.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

138

Conditions

Healthy

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 35 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age 18-35 years * healthy nonsmoking who are rarely exposed to SHS OR smokers Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy or nursing; * history of egg allergy; * aspirin therapy; * asthma; * immunodeficiency (HIV or other); * on immunosuppressive drugs including corticosteroids; * history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome; * any chronic medical condition; * febrile and/or respiratory illness within past 3 weeks prior to entry into study; * prospective subjects with high baseline antibody titers against influenza will be excluded because they may be less likely to develop viral replication with LAIV.

Locations (1)

UNC Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Nasal responses of healthy adult volunteers not routinely exposed to SHS vs responses of smokers, to live attenuated influenza virus.

Time frame: 5-8-weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Compare replication of live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) in nasal epithelium of seronegative healthy adult volunteers not routinely exposed to SHS vs. smokers.

Time frame: 5-8 weeks

In the setting of LAIV infection, compare markers of oxidant stress and mucosal inflammation in nasal epithelium of healthy adult volunteers not routinely exposed to SHS vs. smokers

Time frame: 5-8 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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