Long-term overwintering on the Kerguelen Islands and its effects on the immune system
Consequences of Longterm Confinement on Immunity in the Sub-Antarctic Islands : Follow-up of Volunteers on the Kerguelen Islands
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 |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 9 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Angers Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Port-aux-Français, Terres Australes Et Antarctiques Françaises) |
| Trial ID | NCT07275489 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Port-aux-Français, Terres Australes Et Antarctiques Françaises
- 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 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.