Children with cystic fibrosis stool samples 16s rRNA

The purpose of this study was to define the impact of second-hand smoke exposure (SHSe) upon the gut microbiome in a pilot study of young children with cystic fibrosis (CF). Secondary outcomes included the influence of age, sex, birth route and modifiable factors (antibiotic use and feeding method) upon the gut microbiome. We hypothesized that SHSe impairs CF fecal bacterial populations in a differential manner compared to other modifiable factors such as diet or antibiotics. To test this hypothesis, we studied the fecal bacteriome in young children with CF and objectively measured SHSe to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention (e.g. probiotics) in this vulnerable population.