Marshfield Clinic seeks volunteers from Spencer, Unity for study of common respiratory illnesses, gastroenteritis
Respiratory and diarrheal illnesses are common, but doctors rarely know which germ is responsible. Some of these illnesses can be treated or prevented by vaccination. Volunteers are needed to help researchers understand how often people develop respiratory illness or diarrhea, and to identify the germs that are making them sick.
The PACC-ER (Prospective Assessment in a Community Cohort: Enteric and Respiratory pathogens) Study will enroll about 1,500 people of all ages for up to two years. So far, more than 700 people have signed up, but hundreds more are needed to reach the enrollment target by the end of this year. The study is led by Marshfield Clinic Research Institute research scientists Huong Nguyen and Joshua Petrie.
“Most of us remember getting sick with cough, cold or flu symptoms or a stomach bug,” Nguyen said. “These illnesses can make you feel miserable and prevent you from going to work or school. This study will provide much needed information on the frequency and causes of these illnesses in the community.” She also noted that study results will help guide vaccine development and aid doctors who are taking care of patients with respiratory illness or gastroenteritis.
Volunteers will fill out a brief survey each week to let the study team know if they are sick or not. Volunteers will collect and mail back a nose swab when they have cough, cold or flu symptoms or a stool sample when they have a stomach bug. These samples will be tested for different germs, and participants will be told if they have influenza, COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Blood and saliva samples will also be collected to measure immune responses. There will be three study visits for blood collection: at enrollment, during summer 2025, and during summer 2026. Some participants may be asked to complete additional study visits with blood collection after vaccination or illness. Children under 5 years old can participate in the study without any blood or saliva collection. Participants may receive between $228 and $378, depending on how long they are in the study and which activities are done. Extra payment will be given to those who complete extra activities.
“People in central Wisconsin are always willing to help out friends and neighbors and support the community,” Petrie said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Marshfield-area residents to participate in science that is community-focused. It’s quite rare for a large research study like this to take place in a rural Midwestern setting. This is big-time infectious disease research that will be used at the national level.”
More than 18,000 study invitation letters were sent to Marshfield-area children and adults. The study team needs your help to reach enrollment targets. Interested people are encouraged to contact the study team to see if they are eligible to volunteer. The study is open to invited people who live in the following communities: Abbotsford, Arpin, Auburndale, Hewitt, Marshfield, Milladore, Pittsville, Sherry, Spencer, Stratford, Rangeline, Rozellville and Unity. Children under 5 years old may also be eligible if they live in other communities near the study area.
To learn more about the PACC-ER Study or volunteer, visit marshfieldresearch.org/pacc, call 800-468-9700 or email pacc@marshfieldresearch.org. The study is funded by Moderna, Inc.
