Understanding how the patient microbiome affects infections after spine surgery
Official title: Targeting the Patient Microbiome for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection in Spine Surgery
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11010419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your body might affect the risk of getting infections after spine surgery, and it aims to find ways to prevent these infections to help you heal better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $166,320 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AR080209-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for instrumented spine surgery who are at risk for surgical site infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing spine surgery or those with existing infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the patient microbiome in the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) following spine surgery. By analyzing the bacteria present in patients before and after surgery, the study aims to identify specific microbial strains that contribute to infections. The approach includes training in microbiome sciences and prospective data collection to better understand how these bacteria interact with surgical procedures. This knowledge could lead to improved prevention strategies for SSIs, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of surgical site infections in patients undergoing spine surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the microbiome can lead to successful interventions in infection prevention, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Long, Dustin R — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Long, Dustin R
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.