Mucosal immunology and IgA deficiency in young children with recurrent respiratory tract infections

During my PhD I will be studying a prospective cohort of >160 children under the age of seven year who suffer from recurrent respiratory tract infections with or without a concomitant IgA deficiency and their healthy control family members. I aim to investigate  the mucosal immunological function of these children by examining both their microbial composition (respiratory tract microbiome and gut microbiome) and their locally produced immunoglobulines as well as their systemic immune system.  By comparing the children with recurrent respiratory tract infections to their healthy family members we aim to explain the disease burden in these children and find possible starting points for future therapeutic implications.

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Mischa Koenen