Metagenomic and Metabolomic Reconstitution of Gut Microbiota After Broad Spectrum Antibiotic Therapy...
Antibiotic Side EffectAntibiotic-associated Diarrhea2 moreIn the United States, healthcare providers prescribe over 270 million antibiotic prescriptions each year. While antibiotics have transformed medicine and methods of treating life-threatening bacterial infection, broad spectrum antibiotics also induce disruption of resident gut microbial communities by altering both composition and function. This disruption of microbial community dynamics has been demonstrated at the taxonomic level, yet the extent of functional disruptions to microbial metabolic output and host cells remains understudied in humans. This study explores the impact of a broad spectrum antibiotic cocktail on microbial communities throughout the gastrointestinal tract, and the impact of a defined, multi-strain consortia of probiotic organisms following antibiotic exposure.
SHIFT: Studying HIV Immunology After Fecal Transplant
HIV/AIDSDysbiosis1 moreSHIFT is a randomized, longitudinal, prospective, blinded, three-arm study to determine the safety and tolerability of Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) in HIV-infected participants on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Use of Probiotic Yogurt in Obese Women
ObesityDysbiosesThis study aimed to examine the effects of using probiotic yogurt on body components (body weight, height, etc.) and digestive system (distention, gas, etc.) in obesity (obese women), which is an important public health problem all over the world.
The Dysbiosis of the Intestinal Microbiota in Individuals With Allergic Rhinitis (MICRORIN)
Allergic RhinitisAllergic rhinitis (AR) is triggered by environmental allergens such as pollen and mites, and is associated with several symptoms such as itching and nasal congestion, sneezing or tearing and redness of the eyes. RA can affect patients life quality who suffer it, reducing the quality of sleep and cognitive function, causing irritability and fatigue and, consequently a decrease in work performance. Because the existing pharmacological treatments for RA are not entirely effective, it is of interest to find other means to enhance the effects of these drugs and decrease more effectively the signs and symptoms associated with RA. In this context, RA has been related to an alteration of the intestinal microbiota (MI).However, there is a need to characterize in detail the MI of individuals who suffer RA. The main objective of the present study is to characterize the MI of individuals with RA, compared with people without RA. In addition, the secondary objective is to study the association between characteristics of the MI of individuals with RA and different immunological markers.
How Reflux Medications Affect the Microbiome of Infants
GERDDysbiosisThe changes in the organisms making up the gut microbiota in infants who are taking anti-acid reflux medications (histamine 2 receptor antagonists) as compared to infants who are not taking these medications is not well-studied or understood. Whether these medications change the gut microbiota and microbiome, and what that change may imply for children on these medications, is the focus of this study.
Dysbiosis Impact on Lung Disease in HIV
HIV InfectionsCOPD1 moreDespite the high burden of respiratory symptoms in the HIV+ population, causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in individuals with HIV are poorly understood. Microbial communities present in the lungs or gut could play an important role in COPD via their ability to stimulate inflammation and oxidative stress and by the interactions of microbial and host gene transcription. By exploring the impact of the structure and function of microbial communities on the host in HIV-associated COPD, this project could lead to discovery of novel therapeutics to treat and prevent COPD. Subjects will be 20 HIV+ individuals with COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.70 and FEV1 and DLco<80% predicted) and 20 HIV+ individuals with normal lung function (controls) and 10 HIV negative individuals recruited from our ongoing cohorts. Controls will be matched to the individuals with COPD based on age, gender, pack-years of smoking, ART use, HIV viral suppression, and history of illicit drug use. Bronchoscopy will be performed on all subjects. The investigator will uncover mechanisms that contribute to COPD in HIV+ individuals, which will lead to interventional therapies. For example, the investigators evaluate the impact of bacteria on lung epithelial cell gene expression and inflammation and test ability of anti-inflammatories to alter responses. Identification of other key pathways or microbes could also lead to testing of pro-biotics, post-biotics (bacterial metabolites), or therapy with bacteria genetically modified for desired function or metabolites.
Effect of the Use of Symbiotics in Patients With Colon Cancer
SymbioticCancer Colorectal5 moreDue to the high incidence, cancer and the concomitant presence of malnutrition are currently a worldwide public health problem. The loss of weight and body tissues is a common condition in cancer patients with lesions of the airways and digestive tract and is related to anorexia and the presence and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea. The latter directly interferes with the progression of enteral diets, which are administered in order to provide adequate nutritional support for the recovery of patients and nutritional status. In this sense, the importance of measures to help reduce diarrhea episodes is reinforced, aiming at the adequate infusion of enteral diets and, consequently, nutritional needs. It is known that the use of antimicrobials is closely related to the increased incidence of nasocomial diarrhea, as it facilitates colonization by pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile. In addition, nosocomial diarrhea is a very relevant occurrence due to the financial burden it causes for the hospital institution, which can also worsen the patient's clinical condition, since he is weakened due to the underlying disease. Despite these important aspects, studies carried out with the aim of reducing diarrhea episodes in patients with airway and digestive lesions are still not described in the literature. In this context, the use of symbiotics presents itself as a possibly beneficial alternative, considering the role of probiotics and prebiotics in the modulation of intestinal function. In this sense, this work aims to evaluate the impact of perioperative supplementation with symbiotic on clinical outcomes and intestinal function of patients with colon cancer and digestive airways undergoing colorectal resection. It is assumed that the use of symbiotics could have better results than the use of probiotics and isolated prebiotics.
Dysbiosis in Localized Provoked Vulvodynia (LPV)
VulvodyniaVulvar VestibulitisCurrently, the pathogenesis of Localized Provoked Vulvodynia (LPV) has not been elucidated. Few observations may point to involvement of the microbiome: the association of LPV with preceding chronic recurrent candidiasis, and the reports of the beneficial effect of a diet avoiding oxalate on Vulvodynia. Studies in the new field of microbiome research focus on the composition of overall microorganisms in our body and their impacts on our health. Changes in the composition of the vaginal microbiota (dysbiosis) have been linked with different health and disease states. We have also shown recently that women can be divided into 2 groups according to the composition of their vaginal microbiome. The proposed study will compare the vaginal microbiome of women with severe LPV, not treated by diet and otherwise healthy, to women without LPV (we will also compare our results to the NIH HMP data). Vaginal pH and date of menstrual cycle will be checked. We propose that dysbiosis in the vaginal microbiota may trigger the development of LPV.
A Pilot Study Assessing Intestinal Microbiota Diversification and Changes After Travel to South(East)...
DysbiosisThis prospective, observational pilot study is designed to assess feasibility, refine the target population, and quickly test qualitative and quantitative changes in the microbiome after short-term travel to South or Southeast Asia, regions where rates of travelers' diarrhea and intestinal colonization with antimicrobial resistant bacteria are highest. To measure the diversity change of the intestinal microbiota, participants will complete a questionnaire and provide a stool specimen at three different time points: prior to traveling, two weeks after returning from traveling, and 14 weeks after returning from traveling.
Interaction Between Immune Cells and Bacteria Associated With Periodontitis
Periodontal DiseasesPeriodontitis11 moreThis study evaluates the interaction between host immune cells and bacteria associated with periodontitis. It comprises biological material from donors with and without periodontal disease. Specifically, we collect a spit and blood sample to conduct in vitro stimulations and measurements of selected parameters related to periodontitis to clarify obscure areas in the immunologic pathogenesis of this disease.