Exploring the relationship between airway microbiota and asthma in adults

Relationship of Airway Microbiota, Endotype and Phenotype in Adult Asthma

Observational Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT04706988

This study is testing how the germs in the airways of adults with asthma might affect their symptoms and lung health over time.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment140 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong Academic / other
Locations1 site (Shatin)
Trial IDNCT04706988 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the role of airway microbiota in adult asthma by analyzing nasopharyngeal swabs from participants. The study will assess microbial patterns and their association with different asthma endotypes and phenotypes, including severity and lung function. A total of 140 adult asthma patients will undergo swab collection at baseline, three months, and one year, alongside various clinical assessments. The research will utilize advanced sequencing techniques and bioinformatics to understand how microbiota changes with asthma treatment and its potential implications for asthma management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 80 with a documented diagnosis of asthma.

Not a fit: Patients with other significant respiratory diseases or those with a recent smoking history may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved asthma treatment strategies by targeting the airway microbiome.

How similar studies have performed: While there is emerging evidence regarding microbiota in asthma, this specific approach in adults is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects aged between 18 and 80 years and have a diagnosis of asthma according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) document in 2020.
* Asthma is defined as those with a consistent history and prior documented evidence of variable airflow obstruction, with evidence of an increase in FEV1 greater than 12% or 200 mL following bronchodilator or bronchial hyperresponsiveness on bronchial provocation testing, when stable.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with respiratory diseases with other known respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis (TB)-destroyed lung parenchyma, history of lung resection and lung cancer
* Individuals older than 40 years with a smoking history of more than 10 pack-years or significant biomass exposure
* Patients currently randomized in other clinical studies
* Pregnant women
* Current smokers (who have not quit smoking in the past 1 year)
* Systemic and intranasal antibiotics treatment within 4 weeks
* Signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infections (upper or lower) within 4 weeks

Where this trial is running

Shatin

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Asthma
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.