Family research of microbes linked to respiratory infections

ISRCTN ISRCTN52814289
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN52814289
IRAS number 284708
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS 284708
Submission date
16/09/2020
Registration date
24/09/2020
Last edited
23/03/2021
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
This study aims to learn more about how healthy adults and children are protected, or not, against respiratory infections. Many children and adults carry bacteria in their noses and mouth. We constantly share these bacteria with our family members. The types and numbers of bacteria we carry change with our age and lifestyle habits. This change makes some people sharing households more likely to get a respiratory infection. It is hoped that in this study, by studying bacteria in the nose and mouth of family members and how different factors influence their change over time, this information can be used to better prevent and treat respiratory infections in the future.

The study team has developed an easy to use a sampling technique to self-collect saliva and fluid close to the lining of the nose at home. The study aims to find out if it is practical for families to collect these samples at home.

Who can participate?
Families of 4 members, with two adults aged 18-60 years, and two children aged 28 days-17 years, who are generally healthy.

What does the study involve?
A trained clinician will show participants how to collect samples of fluid from inside the nose, a small amount of saliva, and hand swabs, from both themselves and their children. Families will be then asked to collect samples themselves at home every 2 weeks for 6 months for all participating members.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
While this study will not benefit families directly, it may help us to understand more about how healthy people are protected from respiratory infections to help us to prevent these in the future. We do not expect any discomfort as sampling techniques are not invasive. Eyes may sometimes water after placing the paper strip in the nose.

Where is the study run from?
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK) and Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From May 2020 to August 2021

Who is funding the study?
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Elissavet Nikolaou
elissavet.nikolaou@lstmed.ac.uk.

Contact information

Dr Elissavet Nikolaou
Public

Respiratory Infection Group
Department of Clinical Sciences
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
1st Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-4797-4710
Phone +44 (0)151 702 9346
Email elissavet.nikolaou@lstmed.ac.uk
Dr Andrea Collins
Scientific

Respiratory Infection Group
Department of Clinical Sciences
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
1st Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-4094-1572
Phone +44 (0)151 7029439
Email andrea.collins@lstmed.ac.uk

Study information

Study designSingle-centre observational cross-sectional cohort study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Home
Study typeDiagnostic
Participant information sheet ISRCTN52814289_PIS_adults_v3.0_18Sept20.docx
Scientific titleEstablishment of home sampling as a surveillance tool for understanding the role of the human oral and nasal microbiota in respiratory disease
Study acronymFAMILY MICRO
Study objectives1. Home sampling is an effective and community acceptable methodology for sampling children and their family members long-term
2. The microbiome plays an important role in respiratory disease occurrence and transmission within household members
Ethics approval(s)Approved 11/09/2020, North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee (Barlow House, 3rd Floor, 4 Minshull Street, Manchester, M1 3DZ, UK; +44 (0)2071048384; gmwest.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 20/NW/0304
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedUnderstanding respiratory disease occurrence and transmission in households of healthy participants
InterventionAdult participants will collect non-invasive mucosal samples from themselves and their children at home every 2 weeks for 6 months.

Participants will fill in questionnaires on demographics and epidemiological data at baseline, questionnaires describing practicality at each study day after sample collection, and keep a monthly diary of routine activities/habits.

Formative qualitative semi-structured interviews will be conducted at the end of the study, exploring the acceptability of the procedures.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Feasibility determined by the percentage (%) compliance measured as the number of samples stored in the fridge/freezer per volunteer to the total number of participants, where samples are collected every 2 weeks between baseline and 6 months
2. Acceptability determined by the percentage (%) long-term acceptability measured using the practicality questionnaire to the total number of participants, where the questionnaire is completed every 2 weeks between baseline and 6 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Microbiome taxonomic profiles will be generated by metagenomic 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using Illumina technology of mucosal samples collected every 2 weeks between baseline and 6 months
2. Virome will be determined by multiplex qPCR of mucosal samples collected every 2 weeks between baseline and 6 months
3. Presence of AMR genes will be elucidated by conventional PCR of mucosal samples collected every 2 weeks between baseline and 6 months
4. Data will be related to epidemiological information and episodes of respiratory tract infection collected by epidemiological questionnaires completed by participants every 2 weeks between baseline and 6 months
Overall study start date01/05/2020
Completion date31/08/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupMixed
Upper age limit60 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsWe aim to recruit 32 families of 4 members so in total 128 participants (64 parents and 64 children). To account for dropouts or inadequate samples, this target will be adjusted to a maximum of 40 families (32 more participants, maximum 160 participants).
Total final enrolment160
Key inclusion criteria1. Adults aged 18-60 years and their children aged 28 days–17 years
2. Parent with fluent spoken English - to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the research project and the proposed involvement
3. Capacity of the parent to give informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. Taking daily medications that may affect the microbiome e.g. long-term antibiotics or immunosuppressants (including oral steroids)
2. Having received immunosuppressants or antibiotics in the preceding 28 days (recruitment can be delayed until the 28 days have passed)
3. History of respiratory infections requiring hospitalisation
4. Involved in a CTIMP or any trial that can affect the microbiome.
5. Disease or syndrome associated with altered immunity or altered respiratory or gut microbiome (including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or diabetes, and asthma or COPD) or other RTI conditions (including cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis)
6. Current severe acute respiratory infection
7. Children with cognitive disabilities that lead to an inability to comply with study sampling
Date of first enrolment01/10/2020
Date of final enrolment28/02/2021

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Liverpool Life Sciences Accelerator Building
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
East Prescot Rd
Liverpool
L14 5AB
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Charity

Research Governance and Ethics Office
2nd Floor LLSA
1 Daulby Street
Liverpool
L7 8XZ
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)151 702 9562
Email lstmgov@lstmed.ac.uk
Website http://www.lstmed.ac.uk

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Private sector organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
LSTM
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/01/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planWe will produce a lay report of our findings, which will be made available to all participants on the LSTM website. The findings from this study will be shared among the scientific community by publishing our findings in peer-reviewed open-access scientific journals and presenting data at appropriate local, national and international conferences.
IPD sharing planThe data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet version v3.0 18/09/2020 08/10/2020 No Yes
Participant information sheet version v2.0 04/09/2020 08/10/2020 No Yes
Participant information sheet version v3.0 18/09/2020 08/10/2020 No Yes
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN52814289_PIS_adults_v3.0_18Sept20.docx
Uploaded 08/10/2020
ISRCTN52814289_PIS_06_10yrs_v2.0_4Sept20.docx
Uploaded 08/10/2020
ISRCTN52814289_PIS_11_17yrs_v3.0_18Sept20.docx
Uploaded 08/10/2020

Editorial Notes

23/03/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/12/2020 to 28/02/2021.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 01/03/2021 to 31/08/2021.
3. Total final enrolment number added.
08/10/2020: The participant information sheets have been uploaded.
24/09/2020: Internal review.
23/09/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by HRA and Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) Approval Letter.