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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
The airway microbiome and pediatric asthma
Rhia Shah1, Supinda Bunyavanich2,3
1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics.
Insights
The airway microbiome, the collection of microbes in airways, is increasingly linked to pediatric asthma. Research shows its role in asthma development, severity, and potential for future risk modification and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Immunology
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic childhood respiratory disease.
- Recent research highlights the significance of airway microbiome investigations in pediatric asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving understanding of the airway microbiome's role in pediatric asthma.
- To explore the microbiome's influence on asthma development, clinical course, and potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on upper and lower airway microbiomes in children.
- Integration of findings from -omics sciences to understand host-microbiome interactions.
Main Results:
- Microbiome imbalances in the airway are associated with pediatric asthma.
- Infant airway microbiome may predict later asthma development and is affected by factors like viral infections.
- Microbiome is linked to asthma exacerbations and control levels.
Conclusions:
- The airway microbiome offers insights into pediatric asthma diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
- Further research is required to confirm associations and translate findings into clinical practice.
Purpose Of Review:
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Investigations of the lower and upper airway microbiomes have significantly progressed over recent years, and their roles in pediatric asthma are becoming increasingly clear.
Recent Findings:
Early studies identified the existence of upper and lower airway microbiomes, including imbalances in both associated with pediatric asthma. The infant airway microbiome may offer predictive value for the development of asthma in later childhood, and it may also be influenced by external factors such as respiratory viral illness. The airway microbiome has also been associated with the clinical course of asthma, including rates of exacerbation and level of control. Advances in -omics sciences have enabled improved identification of the airway microbiome's relationships with host response and function in children with asthma. Investigations are now moving toward the application of the above findings to explore risk modification and treatment options.
Summary:
The airway microbiome provides an intriguing window into pediatric asthma, offering insights into asthma diagnosis, clinical course, and perhaps treatment. Further investigation is needed to solidify these associations and translate research findings into clinical practice.
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