Microbiome of the Neonatal Lung and Chronic Lung Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The microbiome of the neonatal lung and its role in chronic lung disease of prematurity
IRAS ID
151514
Contact name
Sailesh Kotecha
Contact email
Research summary
Research Summary
Chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD), characterised by prolonged oxygen dependency, is a common disease of premature infants. Lung inflammation (redness and soreness) has been shown to lead to its development but the role of lung infections is less well studied. The lungs were previously thought to be sterile but it is clear that this is not the case. Lungs are colonised by a variety of bacteria and this plethora of microbes is termed the “microbiome”. Little is known on when the microbes are acquired especially in babies and even less is known if the composition of this microbiome is different in babies born prematurely and in those who develop CLD.
This study will obtain lung fluid samples from babies are born prematurely and who do and do not develop CLD; and from control term babies admitted to the neonatal unit or admitted to the postnatal wards. The microbiome will be identified in these fluid samples to determine the natural colonisation of the lung of premature and term-born babies, and those who develop CLD. We shall also obtain stool samples to determine if there is a relationship between stool and lung microbiomes. Finally blood samples will be obtained whenever the baby is having blood taken for clinical reasons and analysed to see if we can identify infection products in these blood samples. The results will teach us of the natural microbiome formation in babies and if a particular pattern of microbes is associated with the development of CLD.
Summary of Results
The human body is known to be colonised with many species of bacteria. Emerging evidence from adults has suggested the bacteria living within the lungs may influence lung disease. Premature babies are at risk of developing long term lung problems as a result of being born early. This has shown that bacteria are detectable in the lung fluid from preterm infants. Bacteria were more likely to be detected when levels of inflammation within the lungs were high. In most samples a single type of bacteria dominates the detected bacteria, suggesting an infective process is occurring within the lungs of preterm infants. The data suggests that treating this infection and inflammation may decrease rates of chronic lung disease of prematurity.
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
14/WA/0190
Date of REC Opinion
1 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion