Clinician Scientist-Programm 2020

Thema: "Microbiome analysis in Obstetrics – “MicrObs"

Zusammenfassung:
Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and subsequent maternal and neonatal morbidities, including the life threatening condition of an early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), is still one of the most challenging problems in daily obstetrical care. Thus, leading to ongoing discussion of management strategies. Most debated are strategies on monitoring and protection of infection and inflammation. Analyses of microbiome alterations provide the chance of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic improvement. Faciliating microbiome analysis in PPROM has the unique potential to improve maternal and neonatal outcome and to change obstetrical paradigms. Thus, the goal of this proposal is to design, prepare and propose a prospective longitudinal multicenter study on microbiome analysis in PPROM, in line with the PEONS (Prediction of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis after PPROM, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03819192) pilot trial, which elucidated the link between the vaginal microbiome in PPROM and pregnancy outcome. The here proposed MicrObs project will provide additional structured microbiome data of the maternal oral und fecal site in PPROM and the corresponding placenta, as well as of neonatal meconium. MinION sequencing technique enables microbiome characterization with minimal time lag qualifiying for a point-of-care (POCT) application. Thus, evaluation of MinION POCT technique to be implementable for clinical trials and routine care is eminent part of this proposal.