Understanding Mouth Bacteria in Children Receiving Stem Cell Treatment

Investigating the oral microbiome in hematopoietic cell transplants

NIH-funded research Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11167589

This project looks at how bacteria in the mouth might contribute to infections and mouth sores in children who receive stem cell treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionResearch Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, United States)
Project IDNIH-11167589 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Children undergoing stem cell treatments often face painful mouth sores and serious bloodstream infections. These problems might be linked to changes in the bacteria living in their mouths. We want to understand if specific mouth bacteria travel into the bloodstream, causing these infections. By closely following children at Nationwide Children's Hospital, we hope to identify these connections and find better ways to prevent these complications.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children who are undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant (stem cell treatment) for various diseases.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent painful mouth sores and dangerous bloodstream infections in children after stem cell treatments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research in adults has linked oral microbiome disruptions to complications after stem cell treatments, but this work specifically focuses on children.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.