Tracking gut microbiome changes after severe burns

Monitoring the Clinical and Immunological Effects of Microbiome Changes Following Severe Burn Injury

Observational University of Debrecen · NCT07329595

Researchers will test whether gut microbiome patterns change over time after severe burns and whether those changes relate to inflammation and recovery in adults with major burns.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Debrecen Academic / other
Locations1 site (Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar)
Trial IDNCT07329595 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adult patients with severe burns admitted within 24 hours will have rectal swabs and serial fecal samples collected one to two times per week while receiving standard ICU nutrition and care. Microbiome diversity and composition will be profiled and correlated with inflammatory biomarkers, endocrine, hematologic, immunologic, and other organ-specific laboratory measures. Clinical outcomes including mortality, length of stay, ventilator duration, secondary infections, bacteremia, SOFA scores, and wound healing will be recorded to link microbial shifts with patient course. The protocol is observational and does not change routine clinical management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with severe burns involving >20% total body surface area and/or inhalation injury who are admitted within 24 hours of injury.

Not a fit: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, active malignant neoplasms, prior major gastric or intestinal resections, or a pre-injury ECOG performance status of 4 are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify microbiome signatures that predict complications or recovery after severe burns and inform future prevention or treatment strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies in critically ill and burn populations have linked microbiome disruption to sepsis and organ failure, but interventions to change outcomes by altering the microbiome remain largely unproven.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients (age between 18 and 65 years) meeting the diagnostic criteria for severe burn injury, burns involving more than 20% of the total body surface area (TBSA) and/or inhalation injury.
* Burn injury caused by scalding, flame, electrical, contact, or chemical exposure
* Hospital admission within 24 hours following injury

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases or malignant neoplasms.
* Patients with a history of major gastric and/or intestinal resections
* Patients in a pre-injury ECOG performance status of 4.

Where this trial is running

Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar

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 Severely Burned PatientsGut Microbiota Diversity and CompositionInflammatory Responsessevere burn injurygut microbiome
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.