Community Based Prevention of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis by a Functional Food Supplement

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Rotavirus is the commonest cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. The investigators hypothesize that use of a food based prophylactic will decrease incidence of rotavirus infection in young children in south India, prevent intestinal damage and overall result in lower infection rates and better gut function. This trial will evaluate the efficacy of prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis when an anti-rotavirus protein or antibody fragments expressed in yeast or placebo are given daily as a food supplement to children between the ages of 6 and 12 months. The children will followed for one year and rates of rotavirus diarrhoea, antibody responses and gut function will be compared between children receiving antibody fragments or placebo.

Detailed Description
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The study will be carried out in an urban slum area in Vellore, south India. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 months will be recruited for participation in the study. They will be randomized to receive supplementation with ARP or placebo, and will be followed for a period of one year, with weekly home visits and monitoring of all episodes of diarrhoea. In addition, every two weeks, surveillance stool samples will be collected and tested for rotavirus to identify asymptomatic infections by PCR. All episodes of diarrhoea will be investigated intensively for bacterial, viral and parasitic agents of diarrhoea using both conventional and molecular techniques and all cases will be treated appropriately at the study clinic or referral hospital as required. Monthly anthropometric measurements will be carried out to estimate rates of growth and to identify growth faltering. Blood samples will be taken at 4, 8 and 12 months for estimation of anti-rotavirus IgA and IgG antibodies. Studies on intestinal absorption and permeability will be carried out at recruitment, 6 and 12 months by the lactulose:mannitol test (measured by HPLC detection of sugars). All rotavirus strains obtained will be characterized by genotyping.

Official Title
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Community Based Prophylaxis for Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children by an Anti-rotavirus Protein Based Food Supplement

Conditions
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Rotavirus Gastroenteritis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Anti-rotavirus protein
* Dietary Supplement: Maltodextrin


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy child aged 6 to 12 months, families resident in the study area, willing to participate and available for follow up for a period of one year Normal birth weight (> 2.5 kg), child exclusively breast fed for at least four months Exclusion Criteria: Families not available for a follow up period of one year Children with any atopic conditions Children with gross congenital anomalies including cardiovascular, renal or hepatic disease Children with syndromic or serological evidence of HIV infection

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Months
Maximum Age: 12 Months

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Anti-rotavirus protein<br> | Dietary Supplement: Anti-rotavirus protein<br>* 11mg ARP In 1 Gm Product Daily For 12 Months, given in orange juice<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Maltodextrin<br> | Dietary Supplement: Maltodextrin<br>* Maltodextrin 1 gm daily<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis |  | One year after recruitment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IgA And IgG Antibody Response To Rotavirus |  | At 4, 8 And 12 Months after recruitment | 
| Weight For Height Z Score |  | At 6 and 12 months after recruitment | 
| Intestinal Function by lactulose:mannitol |  | at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months | 
| Characterization of strains causing rotavirus gastroenteritis |  | Over 12 months | 
| Incidence of adverse events |  | Over 12 months |