Long-term overwintering on the Kerguelen Islands and its effects on the immune system
Official title: Consequences of Longterm Confinement on Immunity in the Sub-Antarctic Islands : Follow-up of Volunteers on the Kerguelen Islands
Run by University Hospital, Angers · NCT07275489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test how living as an overwintering team member on the Kerguelen Islands for about a year affects the immune system in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 9 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Angers Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Port-aux-Français, Terres Australes Et Antarctiques Françaises) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 20, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 19, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | June 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07275489 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy adults over 18 who are affiliated with a social security system, have signed informed consent, are enrolled in the CELREMED project, and will overwinter at Kerguelen from November 2025 to November 2026.
✕Probably not a fit
People who are immunocompromised, pregnant or breastfeeding, have autoimmune disease, are under involuntary psychiatric treatment, or are legally protected are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an observational follow-up of healthy volunteers who will overwinter at Port-aux-Français on the Kerguelen Islands from November 2025 to November 2026. Researchers will collect blood, urine, saliva, hair, and stool samples at multiple time points to track changes in innate and adaptive immunity and signs of viral reactivation. The study will combine biological measures with information about sleep, light exposure, and psychological stress to explore contributors to immune changes. Data will be analyzed longitudinally to describe immune adaptation or dysregulation over the confinement period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help protect the health of people living in isolated extreme environments by identifying immune changes and informing countermeasures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work from space missions and Antarctic overwintering has documented immune perturbations and viral reactivation, but year-long, detailed longitudinal data from Kerguelen overwintering remain limited, making this protocol relatively novel in that context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria : * healthy people aged \> 18 years * Participant affiliated with or benefiting from a social security system * Participant has signed informed consent * Participant staying as an overwintering member at Kerguelen from November 2025 to November 2026 * Participant included in the CELREMED research project of the University Hospital of Angers on helathy volunteers in the context of CHOICE Kerguelen 1 protocol Exclusion Criteria: * age \< 18 years * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum woman * immunocompromised people (primary immunodeficiency, HIV infection or immunosupressive treatment) * Person refusing to participate in the study * Person with a history of autoimmune disease - -Person deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision * Person undergoing involuntary psychiatric treatment * Person subject to a legal protection measure
Where it's running
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Hôpital SAMUKER, Port-aux-français/ Archipel KERGUELEN /Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises
Port-aux-Français, Terres Australes Et Antarctiques Françaises, French Southern and Antarctic Lands Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Charline MIOT, MD — University Hospital, Angers
- Study coordinator: Charline MIOT, MD
- Email: chmiot@chu-angers.fr
- Phone: 02 41 35 36 37
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.