Echinacea (Immulant) for cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised children
The Effect of Echinacea (Immulant ®) in the Treatment of CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS in Immunocompromised Children
This will try whether adding Echinacea (Immulant) to standard treatment helps reduce symptoms and stool parasite counts in immunocompromised children with cryptosporidiosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Al-Azhar University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cairo) |
| Trial ID | NCT07388615 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This Phase 2, open-label randomized trial enrolls about 60 immunocompromised children (ages 5–12) with clinically diagnosed cryptosporidiosis at the National Nutritional Institute in Cairo. Participants are randomized to receive standard care with or without the addition of oral Echinacea extract (Immulant), with treatment effects monitored over the study period. Outcomes include changes in clinical symptoms, quantitative stool parasite counts, and safety/tolerability measures. The protocol was approved by a local research ethics committee and requires informed oral and written consent from guardians.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Immunocompromised children aged 5–12 years with a clinical diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis who are not receiving drugs that cause immunosuppression are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children who have had organ transplants, active autoimmune diseases, known hypersensitivity to the plant extract, or who are outside the 5–12 age range are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, the addition of Echinacea could reduce symptoms and lower parasite burden, potentially improving recovery in affected children.
How similar studies have performed: Use of Echinacea has been studied primarily for respiratory infections and general immune support, and there is limited prior clinical evidence for its effectiveness against intestinal parasites, so this application is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis Disease * Age from 5-12 years * Immunocompromised children * Not receiving any drugs causing immunosuppression Exclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing organ transplantation * Patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. * Patients suffering from hypersensitivity of this plant extract
Where this trial is running
Cairo
- National Nutritional Institute — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Salah
- Email: majy3000vip@gmail.com
- Phone: 02+01147491425
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.