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Published on: May 8, 2017
Airway microbiota is associated with the severity of non-CF bronchiectasis
Liyang Li1, Jiaming Zhang2, Zhuozhe Li1
1Shanghai Respiratory Research Institute, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Airway microbiota are associated with several chronic respiratory diseases. However, limited studies examined microbiota in non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis, especially its relationship with severity and immunology.
Objectives:
We characterized the microbiota of patients with different severities of bronchiectasis and examined the correlation between microbiota and the immunological indices.
Materials And Methods:
The microbiota of 63 sputum samples from 40 patients with bronchiectasis were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Blood tests and related immunological indices were detected.
Results:
According to the baseline data of patients with bronchiectasis, we found that more severe bronchiectasis was accompanied by lower prealbumin levels. The 16S rRNA sequencing analyses demonstrated that Pseudomonas-dominated microbiota produced lower levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) compared to other-dominated microbiota. The airway microbiota of patients with mild bronchiectasis clustered apart from those of patients with severe bronchiectasis, which correlated with IL-4 and other clinical indices.
Conclusion:
There are differences in the airway microbiota between patients with mild and severe bronchiectasis. The airway microbiota was related to some clinical indices that represent effects on the immune system.
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