Skin microbiome of children with cystic fibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A FEASIBILITY STUDY IN DETERMINING THE SKIN MICROBIOME OF CHILDREN WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS COMPARED TO HEALTHY AGE-MATCHED CONTROLS
IRAS ID
130564
Contact name
Kevin Southern
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Research summary
This study aims to investigate the composition of bacterial flora on the skin of children with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease which causes recurrent chest infections. The bacterial flora on the skin in the underarm and inside of the elbow will be compared to bacterial flora found in the respiratory tract, and nose as well as to bacterial flora at the same sites on healthy age-matched controls. Patients aged 8-12 years with CF treated at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital will be eligible to participate, and we will seek to recruit age-matched controls from each patient’s friend group. After obtaining informed consent, swabs from underarm, inside of elbow, and nose will be taken, in addition to respiratory culture (cough swab or sputum sample). Bacteria present in these samples will be identified by sequencing ribosomal RNA specific to bacteria and standard microbial culture. Baseline characteristics of CF patients with details of previous chest infections and current medication, for example, will be recorded from the casenotes of each patient and linked to the samples taken. Data will be pseudoanonymised in that each participant is assigned a unique number to be identified by the research group. Data analysis will look for differences in the skin flora on CF patients and healthy controls, relationships between bacteria on the skin and elsewhere on the body in CF, as well as to see if there is a link between types of bacteria on the skin and clinical information. This study is important to further describe bacterial flora in CF patients. It will direct further studies on the skin microbiome of CF patients and also steer research into clinically important issues surrounding skin care, hygiene, and use of antibiotics to prevent infection in CF.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0740
Date of REC Opinion
11 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion