Gut microbiome and paediatric transplantation
This webinar will be on March 9, 2027 (16:00 CET)
This webinar will provide an overview of the current evidence on the role of the gut microbiome across the transplant trajectory, from the primary diseases leading to transplantation to long-term post-transplant outcomes. It will summarize what is known about gut microbiome interactions with immunosuppressive agents. A particular focus will be the potential of gut microbiome modifying strategies in the context of pediatric solid organ transplantation, including a critical discussion of treatment targets, safety, feasibility and the limits of current evidence in immunosuppressed children.
he gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a contributing and modifying factor in a wide range of diseases. In children with end-stage heart, lung, liver and kidney disease, the gut microbiome may already be altered before transplantation by chronic inflammation, nutritional compromise, antibiotic exposure and organ-specific pathophysiology. After transplantation, surgery, intensive care, antimicrobial therapy, feeding changes and immunosuppressive treatment can further disrupt microbial communities. These changes might influence infection risk, immune tolerance, and the risk of rejection. Immunosuppressive therapy in particular has bidirectional links with the gut microbiome: Immunsuppressants can alter gut microbioal community structures, while at the same time gut microbioal composition can impact immunosuppressant drug metabolism and bioavailability. Persistant gut microbiome alterations after transplantation have been associated with long-term graft and patient health. The potential of microbiome-modifying strategies, including dietary modifications and the use of pro-, pre- or synbiotics, in the context of pediatric transplantation is still subject to research and has not yet reached routine clinical use.
Speaker:
·Dr. Imeke Goldschmidt, Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation. Department for paediatric Liver, Kidney and Metabolic Diseases. Hannover Medical School, Germany.
Learning outcomes:
After attending the webinar participants will be able to explain why pediatric transplant recipients may be especially vulnerable to microbiome disruption.
They will be able to identify peri-transplantation risks that are modulated by gut microbiome disturbances.
Participants will be able to describe the main ways of interaction between the gut microbiome and immunosuppressive therapy.
They will know potential targets for microbiome modulation therapies after pediatric transplantation and will be able to distinguish between approaches that are ready for supportive care and those that remain investigational.