Treating Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Biliary Atresia With Vancomycin

Investigators hope to learn to characterize human intestinal microbial communities (microbiome: the collection or collectivity of microorganisms) using molecular methods, examine the mechanisms of interaction between host and microbiome using genomic approaches, and determine how the microbiome both preserves local health and promotes pathology. Investigation will focus on primary sclerosing cholangitis, biliary atresia, as well as states of health. The composition of the associated microbiome will be assessed based on ribosomal DNA and RNA sequences, and attention will be given to richness (diversity), evenness (relative abundance), and variation with respect to time, person, and anatomic niche. Host response at the adjacent mucosal surface will be assessed based on genome-wide gene expression patterns. In addition, changes in the metabolites of the blood will be analyzed.

To see if the antibiotic vancomycin, when used for the early treatment of Biliary Atresia (BA) and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is effective treatment for these diseases. Investigators hope to learn what effect Vancomycin has on the bacteria that are present in stool, body fluid or intestinal tissue on someone who has BA and PSC and if so by what mechanism.

Inclusion criteria

• Persons who have primary sclerosing cholangitis, biliary atresia, a chronic intestinal disorder or who are undergoing upper or lower endoscopy.
• Persons who have primary sclerosing cholangitis or biliary atresia who are good candidates for vancomycin therapy.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients that have taken antibiotics and/or immunomodulators within the last 3 months will be excluded as this will alter the original bacterial flora.
• Females who are pregnant may not participate.