Clinical consequences of Aspergillus disease in cystic fibrosis

ISRCTN ISRCTN16364688
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16364688
IRAS number 232722
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS232722
Submission date
21/11/2017
Registration date
22/03/2018
Last edited
22/03/2018
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Respiratory
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease which affects the whole body, but respiratory/lung disease is the most prominent problem. Patients with CF are colonised by different bacteria and fungi which can cause lung disease of varying severity, and one of these bugs is the fungus Aspergillus. Aspergillus is a fungus that is found in the environment, and while people with normal lungs and immune system are not affected by the fungus, CF patient's lungs are particularly vulnerable to infection. There are four potential types of Aspergillus disease in CF which have been recently described in a previous study and the health consequences of these types of disease are not well known in comparison to each other. The aim of this study is to look back at the patients involved in the original study that proposed the four types of Aspergillus disease and investigate the decline in health and survival outcomes for each type. Patients may change disease type over time, therefore patients from the previous study are re-tested and re-diagnosed as an Aspergillus disease type to investigate this. As Aspergillus is found in the environment the levels of Aspergillus found in the air both in the CF unit and in patient's homes are measured using environmental sampling to understand more about the risks of acquiring Aspergillus lung disease, and the effects of ventilation in potentially reducing environmental levels.

Who can participate?
Cystic fibrosis patients aged over 18 who were involved in the previous study to classify Aspergillus disease are approached to be involved in this study

What does the study involve?
Participants have a blood sample and a sputum sample taken to re-test for Aspergillus disease type. These tests are done as part of a CF patient's normal care and do not require an extra trip to the hospital. Patients are also given the option to have their home air tested for the presence of Aspergillus, and this is done by the doctor at a home visit of less than 30 minutes.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefit of taking part in this study is to help increase knowledge of Aspergillus disease in CF. No risks are foreseen.

Where is the study run from?
The Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre in Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2016 to September 2018

Who is funding the study?
Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Lisa Collier
lisa.collier@mft.nhs.uk

Contact information

Dr Lisa Collier
Scientific

Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Wythenshawe Hospital
Southmoor Road
Manchester
M23 9LT
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)161 291 4321
Email lisa.collier@mft.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designSingle-centre longitudinal cohort study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designLongitudinal study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleClinical consequences of Aspergillus colonisation and disease in cystic fibrosis and the role of environment in acquisition and infection
Study acronymAspCF
Study objectivesAspergillus disease in cystic fibrosis can be classified into four phenotypes (1. No disease, 2. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, 3. Aspergillus sensitised, 4. Aspergillus bronchitis). The diagnostic criteria for these classifications was outlined by Baxter et al. 2013 and the same patient cohort used in this study will be followed up to 9 years to review clinical consequences of each class of disease, survival outcomes, and be prospectively re-classified to ascertain whether patient change disease class over time.
Ethics approval(s)North West - Liverpool East - submission pending
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPulmonary Aspergillus disease in patients with cystic fibrosis
InterventionPatients involved in the previous trial which classified aspergillus disease by phenotype (REC ref: 07/Q1403/70) will followed up to the current day to monitor clinical outcomes and clinical decline, in order to compare the severity of each phenotype. The surviving patients will be approached to consent to reclassification of Aspergillus disease by means of blood test for Aspergillus IgE, Aspergillus IgG, Total IgE and Galactomannan, along with a sputum sample for Aspergillus. These tests form regular follow up of these patients and will not require hospital appointments above their usual outpatient follow up. They will also be asked if they will consent to environmental air sampling of their home either by drop plates being sent to them and/or microbial air sampling. Patients can choose to consent to either or both re-classification and environmental sampling.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Diagnosis of Aspergillus phenotype by means of blood test for Aspergillus IgE, Aspergillus IgG, Total IgE and Galactomannan, along with a sputum sample for Aspergillus, both at baseline . This is compared to previous phenotype diagnosed in study REC ref: 07/Q1403/70 to establish if change in disease class has occurred
2. Comparison of survival outcomes between class 1-4 of Aspergillus disease (present day snapshot of the patient population), and rate of clinical decline (marked by FEV1 % predicted and BMI measurements taken yearly)
Secondary outcome measuresAspergillus/fungal exposure at a patient's residence, determined by environmental sampling at baseline. This will supplement data collected as part of air quality surveys undertaken in the cystic fibrosis unit, both in inpatient and outpatient areas
Overall study start date30/09/2016
Completion date30/09/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants129 patients eligible for retrospective review. 84 patients eligible for reclassification of disease and environmental home sampling. The aim is to reclassify 70 patients and do environmental sampling with up to 40 patients
Key inclusion criteriaAll patients will have taken part in study REC ref: 07/Q1403/70 between 2008-2011 (number = 129). Surviving patients who have not received a lung transplant or moved away from the unit since that time will be eligible for prospective reclassification of Aspergillus disease. All 129 patients will be followed up for retrospective data.
1. Cystic fibrosis patients > 18 years old, both male and female
2. Patients who have taken part in study REC ref: 07/Q1403/70
3. Patients eligible for reclassification of Aspergillus disease if not undergone lung transplantation or not moved away from area
Key exclusion criteria1. Non cystic fibrosis patients
2. Patients not involved in study REC reference number 07/Q1403/70
3. Patients who have undergone lung transplantation
4. Patients who have moved away from the area during follow-up time from original study
Date of first enrolment01/01/2018
Date of final enrolment30/09/2018

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Wythenshawe Hospital
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Southmoor Road
Wythenshawe
Manchester
M23 9LT
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester Univaersity NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

Southmoor Road
Wythenshawe
Manchester
M23 9LT
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00he80998

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planThere is a study protocol and patient information sheet that will be available, it is not currently online. Results will be written up as part of an MD thesis. The results of both the clinical outcomes of Aspergillus disease in CF and the potential change in classification of Aspergillus disease overtime, as well as the Aspergillus environmental sampling in hospital and patient homes are planned to be submitted for publication at the end of 2018. The results of the study will also be shared with the participating patients. Interim data and results will be submitted to international conferences for both poster and presentations.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Prof. Andrew Jones.