We run and manage the first Comprehensive Canadian Nontuberculous Mycobacterial infections and Bronchiectasis Clinical Database.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are common environmental bacteria that can cause serious respiratory infections and clinical problems. Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a lung disease with damaged airways that are scarred, causing abnormal build-up of mucus that may lead to repeated infections causing more lung damage. Bronchiectasis may be caused NTM infection or people with bronchiectasis are at a risk to get NTM or other infections.  

Currently there is no Canadian database for NCFB or NTM, limiting the access to clinical data for research and clinical trial purposes. All the epidemiological data related to incidence, prevalence and morbidity are obtained from other countries. 

Goals

 To better define the characteristics of patients with bronchiectasis and NTM and provide a resource for clinical trials and other research, we propose to establish a unified and comprehensive Canadian NCFB and NTM database registry to address these unmet healthcare needs.  

This database would serve to support collaborative research and assist in multi-center clinical trials across the country.  

Long-term objectives from this pilot study include:  

1. Understand the current practice of NCFB and NTM care across Canada.  

2. Identify opportunities to provide improved support to health care providers in the care of NCFB and NTM patients across Canada.  

3. Facilitate research into the different types of bronchiectasis and NTM infection as well as pathophysiology, microbial and immunoinflammatory factors driving the natural history of these diseases.  

4. Determine the feasibility of and requirements for a national NCFB and NTM dataset and registry to better understand health outcomes.  

5. Leverage the database to engage development and clinical trials of therapeutics in unique patient populations in Canada 

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Status – 235 participants enrolled across two specialized clinics in Calgary 

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06144996 – click here to learn more