The LID Clinical Studies Unit (LID CSU) seeks to perform translational research studies to answer fundamental questions regarding human influenza and other emerging viral infections to inform and impact future vaccine and therapeutic design, while also making an effort to assist in evaluation of novel products that may impact human health.

In recent years, the LID CSU has initiated efforts to perform uncommon and difficult, but necessary clinical studies to evaluate novel vaccines and therapeutics particularly universal influenza vaccines in the human challenge model and extremely novel universal vaccines for vector borne disease like Dengue, Zika, and Leishmaniasis.

The clinic accepts patients who are at least 2 years old who have a known or suspected primary immune deficiency disease.

Before Your Visit

If you are interested in coming to the PID Clinic, discuss this option with your personal physician or specialist.

You must be referred to the PID Clinic by your doctor. Your doctor will need to send the PID Clinic staff the following information:

• A summary letter describing your condition and current health status
• A list of treatments and medicines you have taken
• Copies of your complete medical records

Send the requested information and records by FedEx to:

National Institutes of Health
10 Center Drive
Building 10, Room 12C-103
Bethesda, MD 20892-1899
Attn: Carla Williams, RN
Phone: 301–496–4000

Our clinicians will notify your doctor and you of their decision by mail in about 6 to 8 weeks. If our clinicians determine that you would benefit from coming to the PID Clinic, you and your family will then be invited. Our clinical staff will send you a copy of the NIH Patient Handbook and a copy of the NIH Screening Consent prior to your visit to NIH.

Expenses

Your visit to the clinic is free, so there is no need to worry if your insurance will cover your visit. However, your initial travel expenses will not be covered.

For those arriving from outside the Washington, DC, metro area, some overnight housing is available on the NIH campus at the Children’s Inn. There are also many hotels and motels convenient to public transportation in the area.

During Your Visit

Plan to stay for at least one full day (approximately eight hours) of testing and evaluation. Some diagnostic tests take two days to complete, so you may need to return to the clinic for a half-day follow-up visit.

During your visit, you can expect the following:

• Initial discussion with an NIAID clinician (Day 1)
• Physical examination (Day 1)
• Diagnostic tests, including blood work, CT scan, or MRI, if needed (Day 1 to 2)
• Wrap-up session to review your test results, treatment recommendations, and diagnosis (Day 1 or 2)

Genome Sequencing

Any patient of the PID clinic is eligible to receive genome sequencing and associated services through the NIAID Centralized Sequencing Program. Patients interested in participating in the sequencing process can visit the NIAID Centralized Sequencing Program page for eligibility criteria and contact information.

Resources

Of Special Interest to Parents (NIH Clinical Center)

For Parents and Children (NIH)

Services Available at NIH

The NIH Clinical Center provides many services to its visitors, including counseling, a business center, and recreation. For details, visit the NIH Clinical Center Patient Services website.

Follow-up Care

Our staff is committed to helping you better manage your disease.

After your exam at the clinic is complete, you may be offered the opportunity to participate in ongoing clinical trials at NIAID. Only our clinicians can determine if you are eligible to participate.

Alternatively, you may be informed of primary immune deficiency diseases studies for which you may be eligible at clinical centers outside of NIAID.

Read More About the Research

Learn more about NIAID's research on primary immune deficiency diseases.

The Vaccine Research Center is looking for adults 18 years of age and older to participate in trials evaluating vaccine and monoclonal antibodies

Why Volunteer?

• Help researchers develop potentially lifesaving vaccines
• Contribute to the advancement of medicine
• Provide researchers with important scientific information in a safe and confidential environment
• Receive financial compensation for your time

How It Works

• An independent committee reviews all VRC studies for safety, ethics, and need before approving them for volunteer participation.
• When you contact the VRC, you will be asked a few questions about your health.
• If you meet certain criteria, a screening visit is scheduled in which you will undergo a blood draw and physical examination to determine your eligibility for a vaccine study.
• You will receive a consent form that explains the study in detail and in non-technical language.
• By signing the consent form, you are indicating that you understand the study and that you volunteer to participate. As a volunteer, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time.
• All volunteers are compensated for their participation.

Once you agree to participate, we will follow the steps below.

Informed Consent

• You will have an initial interview.
• We will tell you about the study in detail.
• We will answer any questions you have to make sure that you understand everything involved with participating in our trial.
• You will read and sign a consent form for the study.

Eligibility Screening

• We will ask you to complete a health questionnaire.
• You will receive a clinical exam that includes blood tests and a physical exam.

Vaccination

• Over the period of a few weeks or months (depending on the trial), you will receive a vaccination or a series of vaccinations.
• You will be asked to keep a record of any physical reaction you have to the vaccine.
• We will monitor the effects of the vaccine through periodic blood tests.
• You will also receive physical examinations while you are participating in the trial.

Read More About the Research

Learn more about the work being done at NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center.

Some of the research studies at the NIH Clinical Center involve promising new treatments that may directly benefit patients.

What Is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial (also clinical research) is a research study in which people participate as volunteers.

A research study is a scientific investigation to achieve a complete understanding of a topic.

Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find

• Treatments and medications that work in people
• Ways to improve health

There are strict rules for clinical trials, which are monitored by

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Food and Drug Administration

Basic Facts About the Clinical Trials

• The trials are located in Bethesda, Maryland.
• Some trials are only for people in the local area, but most permit people from anywhere in the United States to enroll.
• Some travel costs may be covered.
• There is no cost for study-related medical care or medicines.
• People can be referred to a clinical trial by their personal physicians, or they can refer themselves.
• There may be some compensation for time and inconvenience.

Why Participate?

Participants in clinical trials are

• Seen by a team of expert doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff
• Often the first to receive promising new treatments before they become available in the community
• Helping others with the same disease—both today and in the future

Participants in clinical trials can

• Play a more active role in their own health care
• Potentially gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available
• Help others by contributing to greater medical knowledge

Read More About the Research

Learn more about the research conducted at NIAID to fight HIV and other emerging infectious diseases