Bacterial Composition and Immune Responses in the Nose and Oropharynx During Influenza Infection

Phase 1

Completed

Brief Summary: This study will serve to determine how influenza infection alters the bacterial colonization patterns in the nasal and oropharyngeal compartments, and whether the immune response correlate with these alterations. The investigators will be determining bacterial composition and immune responses in the nose and oropharynx during influenza infection.

Specific Aims

Therefore, the overall aims of this study are as follows:

1. To identify baseline composition and kinetic changes in the nasal and oropharyngeal microflora and immune responses after administering intranasal live attenuated influenza virus (i.e., FluMist® vaccine) or saline mist to healthy subjects;

2. To identify nasal and oropharyngeal microbial composition and local immune responses during influenza infections and after resolution of infection, and correlate these changes with clinical outcomes.

Detailed Description: Randomization and Post-Randomization Visits After undergoing the nasal swabs and nasopharyngeal washes, and nasal epithelial brushing, healthy volunteers will be randomly assigned to receive either saline nasal spray (placebo) or FluMist® nasal influenza vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV). They will return 1-2 weeks and 4-6 weeks later to repeat the nasal swabs and nasopharyngeal washes, and nasal epithelial brushings done at the Enrollment Visit.

Samples will be processed to isolate 16s bacterial RNA and host RNA. 16s rRNA will be analyzed by 16S sequencing for to determine the composition of the bacterial microbiome pre and post LAIV or saline (placebo) administration. Host immune responses will be assessed based upon microarray analysis of host RNA pre and post LAIV or saline administration.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Healthy volunteers:
Healthy subjects between the ages of 18 and 65. Approximately half of the subjects will be female and approximately half will be male.
Must be eligible to receive live-attenuated nasal version of the influenza vaccine.
Must be able to provide signed and dated informed consent.
Healthy subjects willing and able to provide oropharyngeal and nasal cavity specimens

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Live attenuated influenza vaccine	LAIV	Healthy adult volunteers given intranasal FluMist (Live Attenuated Influenza vaccine). Subjects will undergo nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal washes, and nasal epithelial brushings at baseline, 1-2 weeks, and 4-6 weeks after LAIV.
Saline nasal spray	Saline	Healthy adult volunteers given intranasal saline nasal spray. Subjects will undergo nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal washes, and nasal epithelial brushings at baseline, 1-2 weeks, and 4-6 weeks after saline administration.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in the bacterial composition (Bacterial "microbiome") over time	Changes from baseline at 1-2 weeks and 4-6 weeks after LAIV or saline spray	isolation of 16S RNA from nasal swabs and nasopharyngeal washes for 16S sequencing for bacterial microbiome
Changes in gene expression in the nasal lining of study participants	Changes from baseline at 1-2 weeks after LAIV or saline spray	RNA isolation from nasal brushes which will undergo microarray analysis to measure changes in immune gene expression

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method

Receive instant email notifications about changes in this clinical trial

Receive instant email notifications about changes in this clinical trial