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Effects of Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter and Its Carrier Microbes on Pulmonary Microecology in Patients with

Chunli Che¹, Xiazhong Sun², Yuhan Wu¹

¹Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.

International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

|July 21, 2021

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this paper was to analyse the influence of atmospheric fine particulate matter (AFPM) and atmospheric microorganisms on the pulmonary microecology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in northeast China.

Methods:

Collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of COPD patients in the high-risk period (group A) and low-risk period (group B) of AFPM inhalation and samples of AFPM in the same time range (group C) were collected. DNA sample sequencing, the bacterial abundance, and diversity bioinformatics of BALFs were performed by methods of Illumina MiSeq™ platform and Mothur and Uclust.

Results:

A total of 58 samples were sequenced, including 22 samples from group A, 26 samples from group B and 10 samples from group C. A total of 2,005,790 bacterial sequences and 34,256 bacterial numbers were detected. Group B had the highest bacterial diversity of the three groups. Group B also had the highest bacterial abundance index value. There were differences in the classification of bacterial colonies for the three groups at the genus level. The types of bacteria in group C were more numerous than other groups, and group B was higher than group A, which indicates that there were more bacteria in BALF during the high-risk period of AFPM inhalation. The detection rates of Streptococcus, Mycoplasma, Roche, Pushia, Chlamydia trachomatis and Brucella for group C were significantly higher than group A. The COG and KEGG databases' difference analysis results for the bacterial gene function abundance of group A and group B were 40.7% in group A and 38.9% in group B (R=0.098, P=0.006). The human disease abundance in group A and group B was 1.16% and 1.12%, respectively (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

The increase in the concentration of AFPM can increase the diversity and abundance of bacteria in the BALF of stable COPD patients.

Clinical Trial Registration Number:

2020XS04-02.

Insights

Atmospheric fine particulate matter (AFPM) increases bacteria in COPD patients' lungs. Higher AFPM levels correlate with greater bacterial diversity and abundance in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Microbiology
Pulmonology

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health concern.
Pulmonary microecology plays a crucial role in COPD pathogenesis and exacerbations.
Atmospheric fine particulate matter (AFPM) is a known environmental risk factor for respiratory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the influence of AFPM and atmospheric microorganisms on the pulmonary microecology of COPD patients.
To investigate the relationship between AFPM exposure levels and bacterial communities in the lungs.
To compare bacterial diversity and abundance in COPD patients during high-risk and low-risk periods of AFPM inhalation.

Main Methods:

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and AFPM samples were collected from COPD patients.
DNA sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq™ platform.
Bacterial abundance and diversity bioinformatics analyses were conducted using Mothur and Uclust.

Main Results:

A total of 58 samples yielded over 2 million bacterial sequences.
Bacterial diversity and abundance were highest in samples from the low-risk AFPM period (Group B).
Specific bacterial genera (e.g., Streptococcus, Mycoplasma) were detected at higher rates in AFPM samples (Group C) compared to high-risk patient samples (Group A).

Conclusions:

Increased AFPM concentration is associated with enhanced bacterial diversity and abundance in the BALF of stable COPD patients.
AFPM influences the composition of the pulmonary microbiome in COPD patients.
Understanding these interactions is vital for managing COPD exacerbations.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

COPD atmospheric fine particulate matter bronchoalveolar lavage fluid microbe pulmonary microecology

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