Urobiome analysis following renal transplantation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Microbiome analysis of the urinary tract and associated biomaterials of post-renal transplantation patients
IRAS ID
327321
Contact name
Stephen Kelly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The microbiome of the urinary tract (urobiome) has been shown to have profound effects on health outcomes after kidney transplant surgery, in particular with the development of infection. Following transplantation, patients can have a number of biomaterials placed in the urinary tract to maintain the flow of urine. These include ureteric stents, which are placed in the ureter between the kidney and bladder; and urinary catheters, which are inserted in the urethra.
These materials can act as adherent surfaces for bacteria and other infection causing microorganisms, yet the microbiome (the collection of microbes and their associated genes) is largely understudied in this environment. Furthermore, the gut microbiota can act as a source of infection-causing microorganisms in the urinary tract, yet there are relatively few studies which compare the urobiome and gut microbiome and relate this to infection development.
This study aims to carry out a large scale observational and analytical study of ureteric stents, urinary catheters, urine, and stool samples from post-transplant patients, and compare their microbiomes to clinical outcomes and patient demographics in order to improve post-transplant care for these patients. This study will focus on DNA extraction and subsequent analysis of the collected samples, followed by comparison of this sequence data back to features such as development of infection, other patient lab results, and patient drug treatment. No interventions or changes to patient treatment will occur as part of this study.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0978
Date of REC Opinion
19 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion