Accurate diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract inflammation is a critical first step in diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal symptoms. While we traditionally rely on stool samples to diagnose inflammatory, from non-inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions, and colonoscopy to differentiate the types of inflammatory bowel disease, these tests are messy at best, risky and resource-intensive at worst. Our group is studying how these distinction can instead be made through a one-time, non-invasive urine sample. We know that intestinal inflammation involves changes in the gut microbiota, which produces different metabolites in the urine. This study will look at the urine, apply mass spectrometry measures in conjunction with the Britz-McKibbin Laboratory, and validate their impressive pilot data to develop a new diagnostic test for our pediatric gastroenterology patients.
To learn more, please contact: Kanish Baskaran (baskak2@mcmaster.ca)
