Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and the Microbiome: When Good Bugs go Bad?
Summary
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one form of a broader condition known as pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the lungs. While medicine has helped the life expectancy of PAH patients, there is no cure.
The lung contains many non-harmful bacteria known as the microbiome, which is unique to each person. Previous studies have looked at how the microbiome of a person may affect clinical outcomes and impact treatment failure or further decline in lung function. The implications of the microbiome may range from providing a protective benefit, an additional risk factor for treatment failure or serve as a collection of bacteria that may cause changes to therapy towards PAH.
The purpose of this study is to see if bacteria in the lung may play a role in PAH management. To do this, we require healthy controls as a group of people to compare their bacteria to identify differences that may help direct treatment.
Eligibility
Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other
Eligible ages: 18 to 100
Accepts healthy participants: Yes
Inclusion criteria:
For this study we require a sample of healthy controls. People who are 1) 18 years of age or older.
Exclusion criteria:
You are not eligible to participate if you 1) Have taken antibiotics within the last 30 days, 2) Have the following conditions: Inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis. 3) Are on medications that cause you to be immune compromised, 4) Have been on oral or nasal steroids in the last 30 days, 5) Active smoker.
Participate
Additional information
Contact information
Dr. Christina Thornton: Christina.thornton@albertahealthservices.ca
Principal investigator:
Christina Thornton
Clinical trial:
No
REB-ID:
REB21-1475