AzTrials
AzTrials

Mpox (Monkeypox)NCT06652646

Mpox Biology, Outcome, Transmission and Epidemiology

An observational study of Mpox (Monkeypox), run by Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium at 1 site in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The MBOTE-Kamituga clinical and virological characterization protocol is a prospective observational cohort study with clinical and virological description of suspected mpox cases and longitudinal follow-up of confirmed mpox cases. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Any age
Conditions the study is for
Mpox (Monkeypox)
How many people
1,000 participants
Where
1 siteDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Study dates
1 Mar 2024to May 2025
How long will I take part?
59 Days
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages Any age
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Study population: All persons applying to be tested for VMPX at HGR or another test center.

Who may be able to join

  • To be tested for VMPX at the HGR or another testing center. Patients of all ages and sexes
  • Minors (≤ 17 years) are excluded from genital, anal and semen sampling and follow-up blood sampling.
  • Patient or culturally acceptable representative is willing and able to give informed consent for study participation.

Who cannot join

  • NA

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Democratic Republic of the Congo1 site
  • Kamituga General Hospital

    Kamituga

Other trials in Democratic Republic of the Congo

About this study

Official title: MBOTE-Kamituga / Mpox Biology, Outcome, Transmission and Epidemiology - Protocole De Caractérisation Clinique Et Virologique Des Infections À Virus De Monkeypox À Kamituga (MBOTE-Kamituga)

The MBOTE-Kamituga clinical and virological characterization protocol is a prospective observational cohort study with clinical and virological description of suspected mpox cases and longitudinal follow-up of confirmed mpox cases. Research activities will be aligned as far as possible with the response to the epidemic.

Read the detailed description

For several decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the country most affected by monkeypox. While the global monkeypox epidemic (commonly known as mpox) of 2022-2023 was caused by clade II monkeypox virus (VMPX), outbreaks in the DRC are caused by the more virulent clade I variant. In recent years, and particularly in 2023, the country has seen a sharp increase in the number of cases, as well as a geographical expansion of the disease, with previously unaffected regions now reporting cases. Until recently, VMPX infections in the DRC were thought to be primarily the result of zoonotic transmission, with rather limited secondary human-to-human transmission. However, in recent months, an increasing number of cases linked to sexual transmission of clade I have been reported.

The Kamituga health zone is a densely populated mining region in South Kivu. The region reported no cases of smallpox in recent decades until, in October 2023, the disease was detected for the first time and began to affect mainly adolescents and young adults. To date, nearly 200 cases have been reported to health authorities, although the actual number of cases may be much higher due to significant under-reporting. Preliminary data show that the epidemic is mainly due to heterosexual transmission, and that up to 30% of cases are reported by sex workers, many of whom come from Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. The ongoing transmission poses a significant risk of cross-border spread and could therefore lead to a new global smallpox epidemic, this time caused by the more virulent clade I.

The study will be carried out in collaboration with the Direction Provincial de la Santé/Kamituga and the Programme National de Lutte contre le Monkeypox et les Fièvres Virales Hémorragiques (PNLMPX/FVH) in the Kamituga Health Zone. Participants will be recruited at the Kamituga general referral hospital (HGR) or at health centers that provide mpox screening and treatment.

The MBOTE (Monkeypox Biology, Outcome, Transmission and Epidemiology) project is a multidisciplinary research collaboration between the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), the Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM Antwerp) and the University of Antwerp.

This research protocol aims to better understand the mpox epidemic currently raging in the Kamituga SZ, as well as to provide more general information on the disease. The protocol describes the research activities that will be integrated into the ongoing epidemic investigation and control activities. Research activities will be aligned as far as possible with the ongoing epidemic response and should not hinder the response, but rather support it.

Similarly, sample collection will be aligned with the sampling carried out by the national program, and some samples will undergo additional analysis to answer the research objectives and questions.

Participation in this epidemic investigation protocol will in no way prevent patients from taking part in any other research study.

The study will be aligned as far as possible with the investigation and management of the epidemic by the national program. The study will therefore run for up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic (for convalescent patients who can be followed up for up to 2 months (day 59) after confirmation of infection), or could run for 2 years whether or not the epidemic is over. The shorter duration will be chosen, so as not to delay the reporting of results to the competent authorities, which will be essential for informing control and research activities in subsequent epidemics.

There is no fixed sample size defined for this protocol. On the contrary, as far as possible, all patients with suspected mpox will be included in the study.

Medical subject headings
Mpox, Monkeypox

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Characterize the clinical presentation of suspected mpox cases

    Viral Shedding Sites and Sampling Strategy: Identification of appropriate sites for viral shedding, presented as the number and types of body sites where viral shedding is detected. (qualitative measure)

    Proportion of Patients with VMPX-PCR Positivity by Sample Type: Proportion (%) of patients with VMPX-PCR positivity in each sample type (Skin swab, oropharyngeal swab, saliva, urine, semen, breast milk, anal swab, vaginal swab).

    MPXV-PCR Ct Values in Different Samples: Description of the cycle threshold (Ct) values in different types of samples. Since Ct values are numerical and specific to each sample type, you would present the Ct values for each type of sample separately.

    Duration of MPXV-PCR Positivity in Different Samples: Duration (in days) of MPXV-PCR positivity in each sample type

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

  2. Characterize the longitudinal clinical course of PCR-confirmed cases

    • Frequency and Types of Complications: Measured as the percentage of patients experiencing complications (complications reported as counts or percentages).
    • In-hospital Mortality Rate and Cause of Death: Measured as the number of deaths per 100 patients, along with primary causes.
    • Duration of Signs and Symptoms: Measured in number of days from onset to resolution (could be overall or by category).
    • Frequency of Clinical Sequelae at Discharge (Day 28/59): Measured as the percentage of patients with complications at hospital discharge, Day 28, and Day 59.

    All these together will allow us to caracterise the clinical course of confirmed cases

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

  3. Identification of viral shedding sites and appropriate sampling strategy

    Proportion of patients with VMPX-PCR positivity in the following samples: skin swab, oropharyngeal swab, saliva, urine, semen, breast milk, anal swab, vaginal swab Description of MPXV-PCR Ct values in different samples Duration of MPXV-PCR positivity in different samples

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

  4. Characterize the virological evolution of confirmed cases

    Duration of MPXV-PCR positivity in different samples since date of diagnosis and since date of onset of symptoms Time course of CT values by sample type

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

  5. Determine the seroconversion rate among confirmed cases of mpox

    Description of anti-VMPX antibody titres on days 0, 7, 14, 29 and 59 among VMPX-PCR-positive cases

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

  6. Assess risk factors for mpox disease.

    Odds Ratios for Mode of Exposure: different types of exposure to mpox cases or animal reservoirs, with odds ratios calculated separately for each type of exposure.

    Odds Ratios for Socio-Demographic Factors: Odds ratios for the association between socio-demographic factors (such as age, gender, occupation) and the likelihood of mpox positivity.

    Odds Ratios for Comorbidities: odds ratios of various comorbidities (such as HIV, diabetes, etc.) and their association with mpox positivity.

    All together, these will allow us to estimate more clearly the mpox risk factors

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

  7. To assess the protective effect of previous smallpox vaccination on symptomatic mpox disease.

    Vaccine efficacy based on determination of the odds ratio of vaccine status between mpox suspects tested positive and those tested negative in a test-negative case-control study.

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Assess genomic differences between VMPX strains isolated from confirmed cases of mpox due to sexual transmission and other modes of transmission

    Whole genome sequencing of VMPX strains from confirmed cases of mpox due to sexual transmission and other modes of transmission

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

  2. Support General Referral Hospital (GRH) Kamituga

    Number of suspected and confirmed mpox cases managed at GRH Kamituga, with outcomes recorded as successful management or complications.

    Number of patients tested using the GeneXpert system, with diagnostic accuracy and turnaround time measured.

    Number of healthcare workers trained on mpox diagnosis and management, with training effectiveness assessed through pre- and post-training evaluations.

    Measured: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Oct 2024
  2. Study start1 Mar 2024
  3. Primary completionMay 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMay 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
1,000 participants (estimated)
Target duration
59 Days
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06652646
Sponsor's protocol ID
Project 427100 MPX
Status last verified
Oct 2024
First submitted
11 Oct 2024
Last updated
22 Oct 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Vakaniaki EH, Kacita C, Kinganda-Lusamaki E, O'Toole A, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Mukadi-Bamuleka D, Amuri-Aziza A, Malyamungu-Bubala N, Mweshi-Kumbana F, Mutimbwa-Mambo L, Belesi-Siangoli F, Mujula Y, Parker E, Muswamba-Kayembe PC, Nundu SS, Lushima RS, Makangara-Cigolo JC, Mulopo-Mukanya N, Pukuta-Simbu E, Akil-Bandali P, Kavunga H, Abdramane O, Brosius I, Bangwen E, Vercauteren K, Sam-Agudu NA, Mills EJ, Tshiani-Mbaya O, Hoff NA, Rimoin AW, Hensley LE, Kindrachuk J, Baxter C, de Oliveira T, Ayouba A, Peeters M, Delaporte E, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Mohr EL, Sullivan NJ, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Nachega JB, Rambaut A, Liesenborghs L, Mbala-Kingebeni P. Sustained human outbreak of a new MPXV clade I lineage in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nat Med. 2024 Oct;30(10):2791-2795. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03130-3. Epub 2024 Jun 13.

    PubMed 38871006

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Mpox (Monkeypox), run by Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium at 1 site in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Oct 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Characterize the clinical presentation of suspected mpox cases (time frame: Up to 2 months after the end of the epidemic, with a maximum of 2 years). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06652646, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Oct 2024.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in