Longitudinal Analysis of Respiratory and Intestinal Microbiome in Cystic Fibrosis

Longitudinal Analysis of Respiratory and Intestinal Microbiome in Cystic Fibrosis

Respiratory und intestinal microbiome will bei analyzed during a period of 6 months. In a retrospective analysis it will be looked for correlations between microbiome and cf therapy (e.g. inhaled and systemic antibiotics, cftr modifiers, proton pump Inhibitors, enzymes, nutritional habits), clinical status and self reported outcome.

DNA will be isolated from sputum, throat swabs and stool samples and used for the generation of microbial profiles. Both bacterial and fungal profiles will be analyzed by next generation sequencing.

Clinical outcome parameters (lung function test, weight, calprotectin, elastase, blood parameters, self reported outcome) will be recorded and analyzed along with medication.

Inclusion Criteria:

• subject has confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (sweat chloride >60mmol/l and/or 2 mutations in the cftr gene known to cause cystic fibrosis)
• subject is able to perform informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to give informed consent
• antibiotic therapy in the last 4 weeks prior to study start (exception: long term azithromycin therapy, long term antistaphylococcal therapy, long term inhaled antibiotics)