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Azoicai A, Lupu A, Alexoae MM, Starcea IM, Mocanu A, Lupu VV, Mitrofan EC, Nedelcu AH, Tepordei RT, Munteanu D, Mitrofan C, Salaru DL, Ioniuc I. Lung microbiome: new insights into bronchiectasis' outcome. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1405399. [PMID: 38895737 PMCID: PMC11183332 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1405399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The present treatments for bronchiectasis, which is defined by pathological dilatation of the airways, are confined to symptom relief and minimizing exacerbations. The condition is becoming more common worldwide. Since the disease's pathophysiology is not entirely well understood, developing novel treatments is critically important. The interplay of chronic infection, inflammation, and compromised mucociliary clearance, which results in structural alterations and the emergence of new infection, is most likely responsible for the progression of bronchiectasis. Other than treating bronchiectasis caused by cystic fibrosis, there are no approved treatments. Understanding the involvement of the microbiome in this disease is crucial, the microbiome is defined as the collective genetic material of all bacteria in an environment. In clinical practice, bacteria in the lungs have been studied using cultures; however, in recent years, researchers use next-generation sequencing methods, such as 16S rRNA sequencing. Although the microbiome in bronchiectasis has not been entirely investigated, what is known about it suggests that Haemophilus, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus dominate the lung bacterial ecosystems, they present significant intraindividual stability and interindividual heterogeneity. Pseudomonas and Haemophilus-dominated microbiomes have been linked to more severe diseases and frequent exacerbations, however additional research is required to fully comprehend the role of microbiome in the evolution of bronchiectasis. This review discusses recent findings on the lung microbiota and its association with bronchiectasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Azoicai
- Mother and Child Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Ancuta Lupu
- Mother and Child Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Monica Mihaela Alexoae
- Mother and Child Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Iuliana Magdalena Starcea
- Mother and Child Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Adriana Mocanu
- Mother and Child Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Vasile Valeriu Lupu
- Mother and Child Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | | | - Alin Horatiu Nedelcu
- Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Razvan Tudor Tepordei
- Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Dragos Munteanu
- Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Costica Mitrofan
- Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Delia Lidia Salaru
- Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Ileana Ioniuc
- Mother and Child Medicine Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
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Mac Aogáin M, Tiew PY, Jaggi TK, Narayana JK, Singh S, Hansbro PM, Segal LN, Chotirmall SH. Targeting respiratory microbiomes in COPD and bronchiectasis. Expert Rev Respir Med 2024; 18:111-125. [PMID: 38743428 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2024.2355155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This review summarizes our current understanding of the respiratory microbiome in COPD and Bronchiectasis. We explore the interplay between microbial communities, host immune responses, disease pathology, and treatment outcomes. AREAS COVERED We detail the dynamics of the airway microbiome, its influence on chronic respiratory diseases, and analytical challenges. Relevant articles from PubMed and Medline (January 2010-March 2024) were retrieved and summarized. We examine clinical correlations of the microbiome in COPD and bronchiectasis, assessing how current therapies impact upon it. The potential of emerging immunotherapies, antiinflammatories and antimicrobial strategies is discussed, with focus on the pivotal role of commensal taxa in maintaining respiratory health and the promising avenue of microbiome remodeling for disease management. EXPERT OPINION Given the heterogeneity in microbiome composition and its pivotal role in disease development and progression, a shift toward microbiome-directed therapeutics is appealing. This transition, from traditional 'pathogencentric' diagnostic and treatment modalities to those acknowledging the microbiome, can be enabled by evolving crossdisciplinary platforms which have the potential to accelerate microbiome-based interventions into routine clinical practice. Bridging the gap between comprehensive microbiome analysis and clinical application, however, remains challenging, necessitating continued innovation in research, diagnostics, trials, and therapeutic development pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micheál Mac Aogáin
- Department of Biochemistry, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Pei Yee Tiew
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tavleen Kaur Jaggi
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | | | - Shivani Singh
- Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, Sydney, Australia
| | - Leopoldo N Segal
- Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
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van der Bie S, Haaksma ME, Vermin B, van Assema H, van Gorp ECM, Langerak T, Endeman H, Snijders D, van den Akker JPC, van Houten MA, van Lelyveld SFL, Goeijenbier M. A Systematic Review of the Pulmonary Microbiome in Patients with Acute Exacerbation COPD Requiring ICU Admission. J Clin Med 2024; 13:472. [PMID: 38256606 PMCID: PMC10816170 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health concern. Acute exacerbations (AECOPD) may require intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation. Acute infections and chronic colonization of the respiratory system are known to precipitate AECOPD. Detailed knowledge of the respiratory microbiome could lead to effective treatment and prevention of exacerbations. Objective: The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence on the respiratory microbiome of patients with a severe AECOPD requiring mechanical ventilation and intensive care admission. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify the published papers until January 2023. The collected data were then subjected to qualitative analysis. After the first analysis, a secondary focused review of the most recent publications studying the relationship between microbiome and mortality in AECOPD was performed. Results: Out of 120 screened articles six articles were included in this review. Potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) were identified in 30% to 72% of the patients with community-acquired bacteria, gram-negative enteric bacilli, Stenotrophomonas and Pseudomonas being the most frequently isolated. During hospitalization, 21% of patients experienced colonization by PPMs. Adequate antimicrobial therapy resulted in the eradication of 77% of the identified PPMs. However, 24% of the bacteria displayed multi-drug resistance leading to prolonged or failure of eradication. Conclusion: PPMs are prevalent in a significant proportion of patients experiencing an AECOPD. The most identified PPMs include community-acquired pathogens and gram-negative enteric bacilli. Notably, no differences in mortality or duration of ventilation were observed between patients with and without isolated PPMs. However, the included studies did not investigate the virome of the patients, which may influence the microbiome and the outcome of infection. Therefore, further research is essential to comprehensively investigate the complete microbial and viral composition of the lower respiratory system in COPD patients admitted to the ICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd van der Bie
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, 2134 TM Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; (S.v.d.B.); (M.E.H.); (B.V.); (H.v.A.)
| | - Mark E. Haaksma
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, 2134 TM Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; (S.v.d.B.); (M.E.H.); (B.V.); (H.v.A.)
| | - Ben Vermin
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, 2134 TM Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; (S.v.d.B.); (M.E.H.); (B.V.); (H.v.A.)
| | - Hidde van Assema
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, 2134 TM Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; (S.v.d.B.); (M.E.H.); (B.V.); (H.v.A.)
| | - Eric C. M. van Gorp
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.M.v.G.); (T.L.)
| | - Thomas Langerak
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.M.v.G.); (T.L.)
| | - Henrik Endeman
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (J.P.C.v.d.A.)
| | - Dominic Snijders
- Department of Pulmonology, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, 2134 TM Hoofddorp, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Marlies A. van Houten
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, 2134 TM Hoofddorp, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Marco Goeijenbier
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis Hoofddorp, 2134 TM Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; (S.v.d.B.); (M.E.H.); (B.V.); (H.v.A.)
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.C.M.v.G.); (T.L.)
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (H.E.); (J.P.C.v.d.A.)
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Atto B, Anteneh Y, Bialasiewicz S, Binks MJ, Hashemi M, Hill J, Thornton RB, Westaway J, Marsh RL. The Respiratory Microbiome in Paediatric Chronic Wet Cough: What Is Known and Future Directions. J Clin Med 2023; 13:171. [PMID: 38202177 PMCID: PMC10779485 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic wet cough for longer than 4 weeks is a hallmark of chronic suppurative lung diseases (CSLD), including protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB), and bronchiectasis in children. Severe lower respiratory infection early in life is a major risk factor of PBB and paediatric bronchiectasis. In these conditions, failure to clear an underlying endobronchial infection is hypothesised to drive ongoing inflammation and progressive tissue damage that culminates in irreversible bronchiectasis. Historically, the microbiology of paediatric chronic wet cough has been defined by culture-based studies focused on the detection and eradication of specific bacterial pathogens. Various 'omics technologies now allow for a more nuanced investigation of respiratory pathobiology and are enabling development of endotype-based models of care. Recent years have seen substantial advances in defining respiratory endotypes among adults with CSLD; however, less is understood about diseases affecting children. In this review, we explore the current understanding of the airway microbiome among children with chronic wet cough related to the PBB-bronchiectasis diagnostic continuum. We explore concepts emerging from the gut-lung axis and multi-omic studies that are expected to influence PBB and bronchiectasis endotyping efforts. We also consider how our evolving understanding of the airway microbiome is translating to new approaches in chronic wet cough diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Atto
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia;
| | - Yitayal Anteneh
- Child and Maternal Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0811, Australia; (Y.A.); (M.J.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Seweryn Bialasiewicz
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Michael J. Binks
- Child and Maternal Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0811, Australia; (Y.A.); (M.J.B.); (J.W.)
- SAHMRI Women and Kids, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Mostafa Hashemi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (M.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Jane Hill
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (M.H.); (J.H.)
- Spire Health Technology, PBC, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ruth B. Thornton
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jacob Westaway
- Child and Maternal Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0811, Australia; (Y.A.); (M.J.B.); (J.W.)
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Robyn L. Marsh
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia;
- Child and Maternal Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0811, Australia; (Y.A.); (M.J.B.); (J.W.)
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Barbosa M, Chalmers JD. Bronchiectasis. Presse Med 2023; 52:104174. [PMID: 37778637 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2023.104174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bronchiectasis is a final common pathway of a wide variety of underlying conditions including infectious, autoimmune, allergic, genetic and inflammatory conditions. Patients experience a chronic disease with variable clinical symptoms and course, but most experience cough, sputum production and recurrent exacerbations. Symptoms of bronchiectasis lead to poor quality of life and exacerbations are the major driver of morbidity and mortality. Patients are often chronically infected with bacteria with the most common being Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenzae. Treatment of bronchiectasis includes standardised testing to identify the underlying cause with targeted treatment if immune deficiency, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection, for example, are identified. Airway clearance is the mainstay of therapy for patients with symptoms of cough and sputum production. Frequently exacerbating patients may benefit from long term antibiotic or mucoactive therapies. Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease and increasingly precision medicine approaches are advocated to target treatments most appropriately and to limit the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Barbosa
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - James D Chalmers
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.
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Narayana JK, Aliberti S, Mac Aogáin M, Jaggi TK, Ali NABM, Ivan FX, Cheng HS, Yip YS, Vos MIG, Low ZS, Lee JXT, Amati F, Gramegna A, Wong SH, Sung JJY, Tan NS, Tsaneva-Atanasova K, Blasi F, Chotirmall SH. Microbial Dysregulation of the Gut-Lung Axis in Bronchiectasis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 207:908-920. [PMID: 36288294 PMCID: PMC10111978 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202205-0893oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Emerging data support the existence of a microbial "gut-lung" axis that remains unexplored in bronchiectasis. Methods: Prospective and concurrent sampling of gut (stool) and lung (sputum) was performed in a cohort of n = 57 individuals with bronchiectasis and subjected to bacteriome (16S rRNA) and mycobiome (18S Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequencing (total, 228 microbiomes). Shotgun metagenomics was performed in a subset (n = 15; 30 microbiomes). Data from gut and lung compartments were integrated by weighted similarity network fusion, clustered, and subjected to co-occurrence analysis to evaluate gut-lung networks. Murine experiments were undertaken to validate specific Pseudomonas-driven gut-lung interactions. Results: Microbial communities in stable bronchiectasis demonstrate a significant gut-lung interaction. Multibiome integration followed by unsupervised clustering reveals two patient clusters, differing by gut-lung interactions and with contrasting clinical phenotypes. A high gut-lung interaction cluster, characterized by lung Pseudomonas, gut Bacteroides, and gut Saccharomyces, is associated with increased exacerbations and greater radiological and overall bronchiectasis severity, whereas the low gut-lung interaction cluster demonstrates an overrepresentation of lung commensals, including Prevotella, Fusobacterium, and Porphyromonas with gut Candida. The lung Pseudomonas-gut Bacteroides relationship, observed in the high gut-lung interaction bronchiectasis cluster, was validated in a murine model of lung Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. This interaction was abrogated after antibiotic (imipenem) pretreatment in mice confirming the relevance and therapeutic potential of targeting the gut microbiome to influence the gut-lung axis. Metagenomics in a subset of individuals with bronchiectasis corroborated our findings from targeted analyses. Conclusions: A dysregulated gut-lung axis, driven by lung Pseudomonas, associates with poorer clinical outcomes in bronchiectasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Aliberti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Respiratory Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Micheál Mac Aogáin
- Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Clinical Biochemistry Unit, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Amati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Respiratory Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gramegna
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Adult Center, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sunny H. Wong
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and
- Department of Gastroenterology and
| | - Joseph J. Y. Sung
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and
- Department of Gastroenterology and
| | - Nguan Soon Tan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics and
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Blasi
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Respiratory Unit and Cystic Fibrosis Adult Center, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sanjay H. Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore; and
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8
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Vieceli T, Tejada S, Martinez-Reviejo R, Pumarola T, Schrenzel J, Waterer GW, Rello J. Impact of air pollution on respiratory microbiome: A narrative review. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Tiew PY, Thng KX, Chotirmall SH. Clinical Aspergillus Signatures in COPD and Bronchiectasis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050480. [PMID: 35628736 PMCID: PMC9146266 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary mycoses remain a global threat, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with airways disease, including COPD and bronchiectasis, are at increased risks of pulmonary mycoses and its associated complications. Frequent use of antibiotics and corticosteroids coupled with impaired host defenses predispose patients to fungal colonization and airway persistence, which are associated with negative clinical consequences. Notably, Aspergillus species remain the best-studied fungal pathogen and induce a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in COPD and bronchiectasis ranging from colonization and sensitization to more invasive disease. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has gained prominence in the field of respiratory infection, and in some cases is beginning to act as a viable alternative to traditional culture. NGS has revolutionized our understanding of airway microbiota and in particular fungi. In this context, it permits the identification of the previously unculturable, fungal composition, and dynamic change within microbial communities of the airway, including potential roles in chronic respiratory disease. Furthermore, inter-kingdom microbial interactions, including fungi, in conjunction with host immunity have recently been shown to have important clinical roles in COPD and bronchiectasis. In this review, we provide an overview of clinical Aspergillus signatures in COPD and bronchiectasis and cover the current advances in the understanding of the mycobiome in these disease states. The challenges and limitations of NGS will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yee Tiew
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 168753, Singapore;
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Kai Xian Thng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore;
| | - Sanjay H. Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore;
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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