BackgroundMicrobes in the airway have been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of asthma. The upper airway microbiome influences the dysbiosis of the lower airway microbiome. However, to date, the influence of upper airway microbiome for adult and elderly asthma has not been fully elucidated. Here, the metagenome of upper airway microbiome of young adults and elderly was analyzed to identify their association with adult asthma.MethodsNasopharyngeal swabs were collected from young adult and elderly asthma patients and non‐asthmatic subjects. The compositions and functional genes of airway microbiome were analyzed by high‐throughput sequencing.ResultsThe composition of microbiota differed between young adult and elderly, and it was different between asthmatics and non‐asthmatics in each age group. Different bacteria were related to FEV1% predicted in each age group. Genes related to lysine degradation, N‐glycan biosynthesis, caprolactam degradation, and PPAR signaling pathway, which could be related to the reduction in inflammation and degradation of air pollutants, were higher in non‐asthmatics. Genes related to pentose phosphate pathway, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, flagella assembly, and bacterial chemotaxis—which may all be related to increased inflammation and colonization of pathogenic bacteria—were higher in young adult asthmatic patients. However, the functional genes of airway microbiome in elderly patients were not significantly different according to asthma morbidity.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the composition and function of upper airway microbiome could influence asthma pathogenesis, and the microbiome could play various roles depending on the age group.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic option to decolonize carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). However, the analysis of gut microbiota alteration in CRE carriers during FMT is still limited. Here, gut microbiota changes in CRE carriers were evaluated during FMT according to decolonization periods. The decolonization of 10 CRE carriers was evaluated after FMT, using serial consecutive rectal swab cultures. Alterations of gut microbiota before and after FMT (56 serial samples) were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. The decolonization rates of CRE carriers were 40%, 50%, and 90% within 1, 3 and 5 months after initial FMT, respectively. Gut microbiota significantly changed after FMT (p = 0.003). Microbiota alteration was different between the early decolonization carriers (EDC) and late decolonization carriers (LDC). Microbiota convergence in carriers to donors was detected in EDC within 4 weeks, and keystone genera within the Bacteroidetes were found in the gut microbiota of EDC before FMT. The relative abundance of Klebsiella was lower in EDC than in LDC, before and after FMT. Our results indicate that FMT is a potential option for CRE decolonization. The gut microbiota of CRE carriers could be used to predict decolonization timing after FMT, and determine repeated FMT necessity.