Due diligence re Thailand heart/vaccine study
Given the intense interest generated by the “Thailand heart/vaccine study,” including its attempted debunking by both Reuters and Associated Press, it is worthwhile carrying out due diligence to ensure that there is no fraudulent activity associated with the article.
1. Does lead researcher have credible academic history?
Chayasin Mansanguan is the principal investigator and corresponding author. Google Scholar lists 22 articles from this individual, including several analyses of cardiac effects of viral illnesses. Pubmed lists 10 articles, including an article from 2021 on cardiac effects of dengue.
2. Is the publishing journal credible?
The Journal of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease published its first volume in 2016. It is indexed in PubMed.
The journal is not listed on Beall’s List of Predatory Publishers.
3. Was this clinical trial prospectively planned and registered in the US clinical trials database?
Yes, it is listed in the database as NCT05288231. All primary and secondary outcome variables are listed, along with eligibility criteria.
4. Are any conflicts of interest in terms of research funding addressed? Yes
In terms of basic tests for possible research fraud, there are no red flags present with the Thailand study. The primary author, the publishing journal, and the study itself possess the requisite standards of quality and transparency.