Gut virology and acute respiratory illness in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Gut virology and acute respiratory illness in children
IRAS ID
218523
Contact name
Stefan Unger
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
South East Scotland REC 02, 16/SS/0227
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Background: There is increasing interest in the bacterial microbiome of the gut and the potential correlates with health and disease. To date there is very little data on viral colonisation and any correlation with respiratory health or disease. Given that humans are continually exposed to viruses, better understanding of viral colonisation is desirable, particularly in its relationship to respiratory health.
Aims: To determine the presence and range of viruses in the gastrointestinal tract of children with acute exacerbation of wheeze, asthma or acute bronchiolitis, and the association with disease outcome.
Methods: To take informed consent from parents to gather serial stool samples (that would otherwise be disposed of) of infants/children of differing ages admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh. The samples would be placed in viral transport medium and PCR testing carried out for a range of enteric viruses. Basic clinical details would be gathered for each sample to put it in context by a member of the existing clinical team. The samples would then be numbered as baby/child 1, 2, 3 and each baby would then be given a unique laboratory code by the laboratory team so that no individual is able to link the results to an individual baby.
Number of babies to be included: 200
Number of samples from each baby: max 30
Duration of study: 24 monthsREC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
16/SS/0227
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion