Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 0 Days to 50

B. Infantis to Boost Immunity in Infants Exposed to HIV

Official title: Bifidobacterium Infantis Supplementation in Early Life to Improve Immunity in Infants Exposed to HIV: a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Trial

Run by University of Cape Town · NCT05923333 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if giving a probiotic to infants born to HIV-positive mothers can help boost their immunity and improve their gut health during the first few months of life.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages0 Days to 50 Years
SexAll
Enrollment200 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Cape Town
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cape Town)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 11, 2023
Main results expectedJune 2026
Study endsJune 2027
Registry record updatedAugust 22, 2024
Trial IDNCT05923333 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include infants born to HIV-positive mothers who are HIV-negative at birth and are planning to be exclusively breastfed.

Probably not a fit

Patients who may not benefit include those with severe illnesses or chronic disorders that could affect immunity.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effects of B. infantis Rosell®-33 supplementation on infants born to HIV-positive mothers. It aims to assess changes in gut microbiome composition, intestinal inflammation markers, and immune responses to vaccines over the first 36 weeks of life. The study involves a randomized, controlled design where 200 breastfed infants will receive either the probiotic or a placebo for the first month. Participants will be monitored for growth, morbidity, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could enhance immune function and overall health outcomes in infants exposed to HIV.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with probiotic supplementation in improving gut health and immune responses, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria Mother:

* Willing and able to provide signed and dated informed consent form
* 18 years of age or older
* Documented HIV seropositive
* Antiretroviral therapy initiated before the third trimester of pregnancy
* Planning on exclusively breastfeeding the infant for the first 6 months of life

Inclusion Criteria Infant:

* Documented HIV seronegative at birth
* Born at term (completed at least 37 weeks of gestation)
* Birth weight \>2.4kgs

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe illnesses, e.g. Sepsis
* current TB or known household TB contact
* Chronic disorder or medications (other than antiretrovirals and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis) that in the opinion of the investigator would alter immunity
* Pregnancy or delivery complications including birth asphyxia, seizures, sepsis, major congenital anomalies or congenital infections
* Known contraindications to components of the interventional products
* Taking additional probiotics or prebiotics
* Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would make participation in the trial unsafe

Where it's running

  • Khayelitsha Site B Midwife Obstetric Unit
    Cape Town, South Africa
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Heather Jaspan, MD PHD — Seattle Children's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Heather Jaspan, MD PHD
  • Email: hbjaspan@gmail.com
  • Phone: 2068543336

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.