Host-Microbe Interactions in Biliary Dilatation

Overview

This study is an observational cohort study aimed at continuously enrolling patients with biliary dilatation and healthy controls. It will collect bile duct tissue samples and clinical data from participants across all age groups to establish a comprehensive cohort for biliary dilatation research. Based on this cohort, the study seeks to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying biliary dilatation development and progression, explore the role of host-microbiome interactions in disease processes, and identify biomarkers associated with complications and malignancy risk, to establish evidence-based strategies for improved diagnosis and treatment of biliary dilatation.

Biliary dilatation (BD) is a complex bile duct disease that affects people differently around the world. In Asia, about 1 in every 1,000 people have this condition. In Europe and America, it is much less common, affecting about 1 in every 50,000 to 150,000 people. People with biliary dilatation face serious health risks. Up to 80% of patients develop complications such as bile duct inflammation (cholangitis) and bile duct stones. Even more concerning, about 30% of patients may develop cancer, and this risk increases with age. Even after surgery to remove the affected bile ducts, patients still face ongoing risks. About 35% continue to have problems with gallstones and bile duct inflammation. Their risk of developing cancer remains 120 to 200 times higher than healthy people, with cancer rates reaching 14.9%. Despite these serious risks, researchers do not fully understand why biliary dilatation happens, how it gets worse over time, or why it leads to so many complications and such high cancer risk. Very few studies have looked at this disease at the molecular level. One study that examined genes did not find typical genetic changes. Other small studies looking at gene activity and proteins were limited by having too few patients and no comparison groups, so they could not find clear biological patterns. Recent research has shown that bacteria and other microorganisms play important roles in many bile duct diseases, including bile duct stones, inflammation, and cancer. Because these microorganisms affect so many bile duct conditions, we believe they may also be important in biliary dilatation. This study aims to create two groups of participants: people with biliary dilatation of all ages and a control group of healthy people. We will collect bile duct tissue samples from patients who have surgery to remove diseased bile ducts and from healthy donor bile duct tissue that would otherwise be discarded during organ transplant surgeries. Through studying these tissue samples, our research team will work to understand how biliary dilatation develops and gets worse, why complications happen, and what role bacteria and other microorganisms play in this disease process.