PAiNTS

Recruitment is open

We are looking for healthy volunteers aged 18 – 50 years old to take part in a non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) human challenge study.

What the study involves:

• A short pre-screening telephone call
• A screening appointment
• Two oral challenges (drinks containing Salmonella)
• Two week-long quarantine stays at Hammersmith or Charing Cross Hospital, 3-6 months apart.
• Daily phone calls for the week after each discharge
• Follow-up clinic visits (2 after the first challenge, 3 after the second).

The study last 6-9 months in total.

Study summary

Healthy adult volunteers will be deliberately exposed twice to Salmonella Typhimurium, a type of NTS that usually causes short-lived gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) in healthy people.

We are doing this to understand how the immune system protects against NTS and to support the development of future vaccines.

The study takes place in a controlled quarantine unit at Hammersmith or Charing Cross Hospital, where volunteers can be closely monitored and treated promptly if needed. This also ensures the infection is not passed on to others.

Up to 30 volunteers will take part. Only healthy individuals are eligible because they are at very low risk of developing serious symptoms.

Reimbursement 

Volunteers may receive up to £4,150 if all visits are completed. 

If you are unable to proceed to the second challenge (for example because you are still carrying the bacteria), reimbursement is £2,127 for completion of the first challenge period. 

The study is funded by the Wellcome Trust. 

How to take part 

Read the full Study Information Booklet PAiNTS Participant Information Sheet. 

If you are still interested, complete the online questionnaire (you can read the privacy policy and how we will keep and use your data via this link PAiNTS Privacy Notice For Expression Of Interest).

• This helps check whether you are likely to be eligible and collects your contact details
• A member of the study team will call you to discuss the study, ask a few more questions, and answer any queries
• If appropriate, you will then be invited for a screening visit in person. 

 If you have read the Study Information Booklet and are still interested, please click the link below to open and complete a short questionnaire to check you are suitable for the study and to submit your contact details to the study team. The study team will then contact you by telephone to discuss the study in detail. We will ask you some further questions relating to your eligibility for the study and answer any questions you may have. 

 Following the pre-screening telephone call, you may then be invited for a screening visit in person if you meet the basic eligibility criteria.