Comparing inflammation markers from dried blood spots and standard blood draws

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

Adults planning to receive a seasonal vaccine or another planned acute stressor provide paired dried blood spot (DBS) and venous blood samples before and after the event to capture changes in inflammatory biomarkers. Investigators measure and compare concentrations and changes in biomarkers in DBS versus matched venous samples to determine agreement and reliability. The protocol excludes people with recent infectious symptoms, recent substance use, or recent acute worsening of chronic disease to avoid confounding inflammation signals. Results will inform whether DBS can serve as a practical alternative to clinic-based venous sampling for future research and decentralized monitoring.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Men or women aged ≥18 years, who are planning to receive a seasonal vaccine OR have a scheduled acute stressor\*.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any infectious symptoms (fever, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of smell or taste) within the previous 7 days
* Any self-reported active/recent use of cocaine, injection drugs, or amphetamines
* Acute worsening of a known chronic health condition within the previous 30 days (e.g., of IBD, COPD, asthma, rheumatologic disease)
* Known severe allergy or intolerance to the planned vaccine
* Contraindication to the vaccine received, if applicable

  \*List of possible scheduled acute stressors include:
* Hard exercise (incl. 10km run or longer, high-intensity interval training, or comparable endurance activity)
* Social event with moderate alcohol consumption
* Planned change in medication dose and/or frequency of use
* Onset of menstruation (day 1)
* Other pre-planned stressors expected to elicit an inflammatory response

Where it's running

• Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
  Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Emily G. McDonald, MD MSc — McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
• Study coordinator: Kristen Moran, BSc.
• Email: cpau.med@mcgill.ca
• Phone: 514-934-1934

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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.