The Gut-Lung Axis and respiratory illness in children v4

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The Gut-lung axis and respiratory illness in children version 4.0

• IRAS ID

  303841

• Contact name

  Ross Langley

• Contact email

  ross.langley@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

• Duration of Study in the UK

  4 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  We aim to investigate the links between the gut and the lung in children with respiratory and gut disease. We know that nutrition and environmental factors can impact the bacteria that exist within the gut and lungs of children. However, we are yet to fully understand the link between these two distinct anatomical sites. We will focus on the bacteria and viruses that exist in the mouth, gut and lung of children and the role the immune system plays in regulating health and disease. This project is highly relevant as we examine the role of nutrition, environment/behaviour and antibiotics on human health.
  Part A:
  A respiratory/gastrointestinal/orthopaedic child that is already being consented for a procedure requiring an anaesthetic in the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, will be eligible.

  The study will last for 4 years. We will be collecting airway (bronchoscopic or “blind” washing), oral/nasal (swab) and gut (stool) samples for microbiological, virology and immunological analysis and a blood sample also for immunological analysis. Routine clinical, nutritional and patient demographic data will also be obtained.

  Part B:
  The airway microbiome may impact patient responsiveness to drug treatment. In children with asthma attending RHC we will obtain oral and nasal swabs; sputum sample (if child can spontaneously produce) a stool sample and blood (only in children receiving routine blood as part of clinical care). We will collect samples at two time points: before biologics treatment, and after biologics treatment has commenced allowing analysis of how drug therapy impacts the gut-lung axis. Routine clinical, nutritional and patient demographic data will also be obtained.

  Assessment of Dietary intake will be performed via a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) (in children >3 years old) and an estimated-weighed 3-day Food diary

• REC name

  South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  23/SC/0393

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Nov 2023

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion