Hello, my name is Evan Johnson and I am currently interning at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Much of my work has been focused on helping assist research studies that OHSU doctors are investigating. In this study, I am assisting Dr. William (Bill) Messer as hestudies the effects of Dengue Fever on those that have either suspected or have hadthe virus itself (through travel or work experience in tropical/subtropical regions) . My task is to communicate with established entities in order tofind subjects for this study. Below is a more detailed description of the study.
Dear World Pulse,
I’m Evan Johnson, an intern at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. I wanted to inform your group on a research study that I am assisting with. Dr. William (Bill) Messer, an infectious disease specialist at OHSU, is conducting a research study on the human immune response to dengue virus infection.
Infection with any of the four types of dengue virus most commonly causes a flu-like illness called dengue fever, but can also cause a severe disease called dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. Dengue viruses are transmitted by mosquitos and is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics (for more information about Dengue fever and where it is found, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/).
Dr. Messer’s lab at OHSU studies the human immune response to dengue virus infection and how it changes over time. We hope to one day translate these findings into the development of a safe and effective dengue vaccine. Currently, the most effective protective measure against dengue is to avoid mosquito bites.
How you can help: People who have had dengue before become immune to the type or types of dengue viruses that infected them. To better understand this natural immunity, we are currently recruiting participants who have had one or more dengue infections while living, traveling working or attending school in dengue impacted countries. We will ask participants about their dengue illness and for a blood sample. The blood will be used in the laboratory to study the different effects of human immune cells and immune molecules on dengue viruses. In order to reach as many people as possible with this research opportunity, we could use your help with:
o Distributing a recruitment announcement though your local email listserv
o Posting research flyers in your school, clinic, or community building
o Allowing a member of our research staff to speak with your staff, students, community members (as appropriate) about the study
o Refer people to the study – contact Carrie Farrar at farrarc@ohsu.edu, Dr. Messer, messer@ohsu.edu, or 503-494-4233 if you or someone you know is interested in participating.
I would like to thank you for your time and will be looking forward to communicating with you soon,
Evan J.
Thank you for including World Pulse in your outreach efforts. I will do all I can to spread the word.
I have posted on my Facebook status. The more we cross-post, the more the word will spread.
Dengue fever is more prevenlent in Mandera county ,Kenya .More than 5000 cases have been recored in 2011 .