Impact of the gut-lung axis on tuberculosis susceptibility and progression

Background Pathogenic mycobacteria, such as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc), and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) can cause severe chronic pulmonary infections. However, not all infected patients develop active disease. Yet, it is unclear whether certain key taxa in the lung microbiome play a role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB) and NTM lung disease (LD). Material and methods We employed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (V3-V4) to characterize the baseline microbiome in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from a patient cohort diagnosed with TB (n=23), NTM-LD (n=19), or non-infectious disease (n=4) prior to the initiation of therapy. The analysis included the depletion of human cells, removal of extracellular DNA, implementation of a decontamination strategy, and exploratory whole-metagenome sequencing (WMS) of selected specimens. Results The genera Serratia and unclassified Yersiniaceae dominated the lung microbiome of all patients with a mean relative abundance of >15% and >70%, respectively. However, at the sub-genus level, as determined by amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), TB-patients exhibited increased community diversity, and TB specific ASV_7 (unclassified Yersiniaceae), and ASV_21 (Serratia) signatures. Exploratory analysis by WMS and ASV similarity analysis suggested the presence of Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia grimesii, Serratia myotis and/or Serratia quinivorans in both TB and NTM-LD patients. Overall, presence/absence of certain Serratia ASVs was significantly associated with disease state. Conclusion The lung microbiome of TB patients harbors a distinct, and heterogenous microbiome structure with specific occurrences of certain Serratia traits. Serratia sp. plays a pivotal role in our understanding of microbial interactions in the lung microbiome of patients infected with Mtbc.

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Normal human microbiota and dysbiosis: Implications for health and disease

Božić,

Milenković,

Antić-Stanković

et al. 2024

Arhiv za farmaciju

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The normal human microbiota, formerly called the "microbial flora," consists of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites that colonise the skin and mucous membranes of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts. The number and diversity of microorganisms varies between different body niches and is greatest in the intestinal tract. The microbiota contributes to the homeostasis of the human organism by preventing colonisation by pathogenic microorganisms, participating in digestive processes and metabolism, and regulating immune functions. Various environmental and genetic factors can lead to an imbalance in the human microbiota, called dysbiosis, which can affect human health. Dysbiosis is usually the result of decreased microbial diversity and a lower number of saprophytic microorganisms, followed by an overgrowth of opportunistic species. The most common diseases directly related to intestinal dysbiosis are antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis, both of which are associated with the excessive growth of harmful bacteria and Clostridioides difficile following broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Dysbiosis is associated with various health conditions or diseases such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases and allergies, neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and stroke, depression, anxiety, infertility, preterm birth, and malignancies.

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Impact of the gut-lung axis on tuberculosis susceptibility and progression

Cited by 3 publications

References 90 publications

The gut and lung microbiota in pulmonary tuberculosis: susceptibility, function, and new insights into treatment

The gut and lung microbiota in pulmonary tuberculosis: susceptibility, function, and new insights into treatment

Serratia sp. dominates the lung microbiome of patients with tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung diseases

Normal human microbiota and dysbiosis: Implications for health and disease

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