The study aims to collect a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) capsules from a cross section of persons with CF living in all regions of Canada. We intend to screen these capsules for Hepatitis E virus RNA. Prior work from our group has identified a 4X increased risk of HEV seropositivity in persons with CF relative to the general population, 3 cases of chronic hepatitis E virus infection amongst those living with transplants, and HEV RNA in 43% of locally acquired PERT capsules (PMID: 38621922). We have hypothesized that in very rare circumstances, PERT may be a source from which persons with CF can acquire HEV. We wish to better understand the magnitude of this potential risk.
The QR code on the poster will take patients to a website in which they can directly self enroll. It will take no more than a couple of minutes. Patients will receive a collection kit from us in the mail – and will then send us 5 PERT capsules. Once we receive the PERT capsules we will email an amazon gift card. We will not collect names, and all addresses will be deleted after kits have been mailed. The study has received approval from UCalgary’s ethics board and should not require additional local approvals.
Similar requests attempting to connect with persons living with CF will be going out through CF Canada’s Elevate social media program.
To learn more and enroll in the study, click here.
Pour en savoir plus et vous inscrire à l’étude, cliquez ici.
Thanks for your consideration. If you have any questions – please do not hesitate to ask our team leads;
Michael D. Parkins – mdparkin@ucaglary.ca,
Christina S. Thornton – Christina.Thornton@albertahealthservices.ca
Or call the Calgary Adult CF Clinic, 403-220-5951