Gut liver axis in Biliary Atresia, version 1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Association of gut microbial profile with short term outcome and immune function in infants with biliary atresia after Kasai Portoenterostomy

  • IRAS ID

    172489

  • Contact name

    Vandana Jain

  • Contact email

    vjain@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    The R&D office

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Biliary Atresia (BA) is liver condition diagnosed in infants, requiring surgery called ‘Kasai Portoenterostomy’ (KP) aiming to correct the abnormality. However, despite surgery, the condition can progress and liver transplantation (LT) may be required in about 50% infants by 2 years of age. BA is the main indication for LT in children. It is not clear why some infants do well without LT and others do not. Evolving research on the imbalance of ‘friendly’ and ‘unfriendly’ bacteria that live in the intestines (gut microbiota; GM) suggests that this entity may have a role in some diseases, including liver disease. We aim to be the first team to explore the role of GM in the progression of BA and anticipate that the information we gather from this study will provide ways to develop treatments to improve outcomes in infants with BA.
    We will collect stool samples to analyse GM at intervals from newly diagnosed patients with BA at Kings College Hospital (KCH) until 18 months of age or until LT, if this occurs less than 18 months of age. At times of surgery (KP, LT) additional intra-abdominal fluid/tissue samples will be obtained and also analysed for GM. All samples will be analysed for gut microbiota at Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital (ICH, GOSH). Blood tests and urine samples will be collected at each visit to aid understanding of the function of gut microbiota. All study visits will be combined with routine standard of care visits. The research study team will consist of clinical liver doctors and nurses at KCH and infection/immunology specialists at GOSH.
    We will also collect stool samples from healthy infants at regular intervals for GM as age-matched controls. These infants will be screened at the postnatal ward at KCH and samples collected in the community,

  • REC name

    London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/LO/1966

  • Date of REC Opinion

    17 Dec 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion