Microbiota Transfer for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Sinusitis, Chronic | Sinus Disease | Sinus Infection | Sinus Infection ChronicChronic sinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory condition of the sinuses that affects up to 2.5% of the Canadian population, and is thought to be caused by bacterial infection, resistant biofilms, chronic inflammation and possibly an unhealthy population of sinus microbes (or microbiota). Symptoms include nasal obstruction and discharge, facial pain, loss of smell and sleep disturbance, which all strongly impact quality of life. CRS treatment involves nasal or oral steroids, repeated rounds of antibiotic, and sinus surgery. Despite maximal treatment, some recalcitrant patients suffer with CRS for years.
The lack of new, effective therapies to treat CRS leads the investigators to test whether a SinoNasal Microbiota Transfer (SNMT) could trigger CRS recovery. SNMT is defined as the endoscopic transfer of a healthy sinus microbiota from a fully screened donor's sinus to a CRS patient's sinus(es). Similar to a fecal transplant used to treat Clostridioides difficile diarrhea, the sinonasal microbiota transfer may eliminate sinus pathogens and restore the sinus microbiota to a healthy state. SNMT will be combined with a one-time, high volume, high pressure "sinus power wash" pre-treatment to temporarily clear the way for the donor microbiota to establish itself. The investigators will conduct a proof-of-principle, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 80 subjects to test whether a sinus power wash plus SNMT improves clinical outcomes in CRS patients.
null
Participation Requirements
-
Sex:
ALL -
Eligible Ages:
19 and up
Participation Criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Patients:
* Recalcitrant CRS patients
* Able to provide informed consent
* Diagnosed with CRS (with/without polyps) and have previously undergone functional endoscopic sinus surgery (Post-FESS)
* Continued to fail despite receiving "maximal and adequate medical treatment" This is defined as patients who:
* Have received topical nasal steroids in any form (Spray/ Rinse/ Atomized) for at least 3 months or at least one course of oral corticosteroids treatment (\>0.5 mg/kg for 2 weeks tapering dose);
* Had at least one course of antibiotic treatment either based on culture and sensitivity of nasal sinus secretions or as long-term low dose macrolide therapy (clarithromycin 500mg twice a day for 2 weeks then 250 mg once a day for 4 weeks) for at least one trial or have received a course of itraconazole 100mg twice daily for 6 weeks
* Have deteriorating SNOT-22 Scores (≥20) or do not improve after surgery and appropriate maximal medical management (MLK score ≥ 2, with at least 2 points on the discharge subdomain)
Exclusion Criteria for Patients:
* Diagnosed with sinonasal tumors
* Autoimmune diseases affecting the upper airway (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis)
* Immune-compromised patients
* Impairment in mucociliary function (e.g., cystic fibrosis, Kartagener syndrome)
* Pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
* Severe underlying disease with anticipated survival less than 6 months
* Unable to tolerate SNMT for any reason
Inclusion Criteria for Donors:
* 19 years of age or older
* Able to provide informed consent, complete donor screening, and adhere to SNMT mucus collection and testing procedures
Exclusion Criteria for Donors:
* If they are positive for any of the following: (i) from blood or mucus testing, human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) I/II, hepatitis A IgM, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C, human T- lymphotropic virus (HTLV) I/II, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, multidrug resistant bacteria, and/or SARS-CoV-2
* A history of sinonasal or lower airway disease within the last 2 years other than the common cold; diagnosed with CRS; diagnosed with acute rhinosinusitis within the last six months; asthma; and/or clinical findings of sinonasal disease at the inclusion visit and immunodeficiency; any history of active cancer, or risk factors for acquisition of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, prion, or relevant neurological disease, receipt of blood transfusion from a country other than Canada in the preceding 6 months, any type of antibiotic treatment or any systemic immunosuppressive agents in the 3 months prior to the donation, or any current or previous medical or psychosocial condition or behaviours, which in the opinion of the investigator, may pose a risk to the recipient or the donor
Study Location
St. Paul's Hospital
St. Paul's HospitalVancouver, British Columbia
Canada
Contact Study Team
- Study Sponsored By
- St. Paul's Hospital, Canada
- Participants Required
- More Information
- Study ID:
NCT05454072