The Microbiome Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the nasal microbiome of patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
IRAS ID
199673
Contact name
David Jayne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
7 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a form of ANCA associated Vasculitis (AAV). It is an autoimmune condition, when the body’s immune system (which usually protects against infection) attacks itself, particularly affecting the blood vessels. GPA can affect many organs of the body, including the ENT (ear-nose-throat) system, and the nasal passages in particular. The disease can be controlled (“remission”) but flare-ups are common (“relapses”). There is some evidence that infection of the upper airways, particularly by a bacterium called Staphylococcus Aureus, can lead to relapses of disease. The objective of this study is to define a bacterial spectrum (“microbiome”) which may predict future disease progression, and incidence of relapse in patients with GPA affecting the nose. We also hope to gain a better understanding of factors involved in colonisation of nasal passages in GPA patients, including changes in the pattern of bacterial strains in GPA patients during their disease course. We aim to define a disease model of ENT-limited and systemic GPA to be able to identify factors that may predict high and low risk of disease relapse. We also wish to explore how environment may contribute to changes in bacterial colonisation in patients.
To investigate whether there are distinct bacterial strains in nasal passages of GPA patients compared to healthy adults, and to help us understand environmental influences, we wish to explore the microbiome of healthy adults who cohabit with GPA patients with ENT disease. We also wish to compare the microbiome of GPA patients to another vasculitis disease eosinphilic Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (eGPA) which is also accompanied by an increase in Staphylococcus aureus, despite patients having less severe ENT symptoms.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0176
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion