The Malardé Institute launched a large-scale health study on infectious diseases last week. It concerns Tahitian residents aged 6 and over. The researchers will try to understand whether all people have the same risk of catching viruses such as dengue fever or influenza.
Pierre Emmanuel Garot, Caroline Farhi • Published on September 12, 2024 at 5:07 p.m., updated on September 12, 2024 at 5:19 p.m.
The first samples are slowly arriving. Blood samples essential to the smooth running of the study
“We will already be able to store them in our biobank, or send them to laboratories, if the participants have accepted, and carry out subsequent tests,” explains Lisa Dian, research technician at the Louis Malardé Institute.
Objective of the study: to identify the number of people who have already contracted viruses such as dengue fever or influenza • ©P.1ère
Understanding how the human body reacts to viruses
The aim of the study is to identify the number of people who have already contracted viruses such as dengue fever or influenza, but also to better understand how the human body reacts to these viruses. Valuable information for public health. Vai-Mai Cao-Lormeau, director of the laboratory for research on emerging viral infections, explains that “this is the first time that a so-called study has been launched cohort. That is to say that we will follow the participants over a long period of time.”
Being able to provide indicators on the immunity rate, depending on age groups, will be able to guide health authorities on the measures to be implemented.
Van-Mai Cao-Lormeau, director of the laboratory for research on emerging viral infections
After Polynesia, the study will be extended to the Fiji archipelago • ©P.1ère
900 people aged 6 and over, spread across 290 households, will be asked to donate blood. The researchers hope to obtain the approval of all participants within a month. The volunteers will be followed for 3 years. “In the event that, during this period, people develop high fevers, and their doctor diagnoses them with dengue fever, or potentially the flu, the tests will be covered 100% for this part of the study.”
This is the first time that a so-called “cohort” study has been launched • ©P.1ère
Tests extended to Fiji archipelago
The final stage of sample analysis will be carried out within the institute using a machine that has been installed for 10 years. “We work with a protocol from the Pasteur Institute. This allows us to know very precisely whether we have antibodies against each type of dengue, against SARV-CoV 2, or against Zika or even Chikungunya in an extremely efficient way.”
The study only involves Tahitian residents. Next year, it will be launched in Fiji, to better understand the immune response in an island environment.
