Microbiome changes following biliary complications post liver transplantation
- Logistics
- Virtual
- Anticipated time commitment
- 3-5 hours
- Application deadline
- Type of Organ
- Liver
- Opportunity Type
- Research Partner
- Theme
- T5 - Restoring Long-Term Health
There continues to be a high demand for organs, but a limited supply resulting in up to 15 percent of patients dying while awaiting liver transplantation. To combat this, more donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors are used.
The use of DCD livers is associated with biliary complications (eg. infection, strictures or narrowing). These complications shorten the lifespan of the liver and the patient.
In clinical practice, biliary complications are diagnosed based on symptoms or lab tests (fever, abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes). The intestinal microbiome (IM) is important for the maintenance of immune function and metabolism.
In disease states there is an imbalance in either the type of microorganisms present, or organism diversity; this is known as dysbiosis. Liver transplantation and use of anti-rejection medications have an impact on the IM and predispose the transplant recipient to biliary injury.
Our aims are:
- Evaluate changes in the IM and biliary microbiome following biliary complications post-liver transplant.
- Evaluate changes in IM and biliary microbiome in relation to anti-rejection medication use. The IM and biliary microbiome represent an exciting avenue in helping doctors diagnose and treat complications. For example, changes in the microbiome may help to diagnose patients and determine who may be at risk for these complications. These changes may also suggest potential targets for treatment. Preventing early biliary complications will lead to improved lifespan of the transplanted liver and the patient.
Experience required
- Experience as a liver transplant recipient.
- Prior involvement in research.
- Involvement in patient groups/transplant community.
- Awareness of values that are important to post-liver transplant patients.
Potential roles for PFD Partners
- Review the grant application and provide written feedback.
- Attend meetings with clinical investigators.
- Provide advice on outcomes that are important to patients.
- Identify any patient barriers to completing the study.
- Any suggestions on project design and implementation?
If the grant is funded, PFD partner can expect to continue providing guidance on the above. In addition, they will contributed to:
- Help put together educational resources for patients;
- Help with knowledge translation (communicating with the transplant community).
Reimbursement
None at this time. If the grant is awarded, we can reimburse future time spent once the project is started.
How to get in touch
- Name
- Rahima Bhanji
- Job title
- Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Phone
- 780-492-2235
email: rbhanji@ualberta.ca and CC mescoto@cdtrp.ca