Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Development of Obliterative Bronchiolitis in a Murine Model of Orthotopic Lung Transplantation
Published on: July 10, 2012
The role of lung microbiota in primary graft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients
Yuhan Wu1,2,3, Linna Huang3, Min Li3
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Background:
Recent studies have shown that the lung microbiota is altered in critically ill patients and predicts clinical outcomes. Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a common complication and a leading cause of death within 1 month of lung transplantation, but the clinical significance of changes in the lung bacterial community during PGD is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of the lung microbiota to the development and course of severe PGD.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study to characterize the lung microbiota of 32 lung transplant patients with combined PGD using next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage samples. The relationship between lung flora dysbiosis and lung immunity in PGD was assessed by quantification of alveolar cytokines. The contribution of microbiota characteristics to patient outcomes was assessed by estimating overall survival.
Results:
Patients diagnosed with PGD grade 3 showed a reduction in alpha diversity, driven by a significant increase in the abundance of the genera Modestobacter, Scardovia and Selenomonas, and a reduction in the proportion of the genera Klebsiella and Oribacterium. Alpha diversity of the lung microbiota in PGD3 patients was negatively correlated with BALF interleukin (IL)-2 (r = -.752, p < .05). In addition, bacterial diversity in the lung microbiota of non-survivors was lower than that of survivors (p = .041).
Conclusions:
There is variation in the lung microbiota of PGD grade 3 patients and dysbiosis of the lung microbiota is associated with lung immunity. The lung microbiota has potential in the diagnosis and treatment of PGD grade 3.
Insights
The lung microbiota in severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) shows reduced diversity, with specific bacterial shifts. These changes in lung bacteria are linked to immune responses and patient survival after lung transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- The lung microbiota is altered in critically ill patients and impacts clinical outcomes.
- Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a major cause of mortality post-lung transplantation.
- The role of lung bacterial communities in PGD development and progression remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of the lung microbiota to the development and course of severe PGD.
- To characterize lung bacterial communities in lung transplant recipients with PGD.
- To assess the relationship between lung microbiota, immunity, and patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 32 lung transplant patients with PGD.
- Next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage samples to analyze lung microbiota.
- Quantification of alveolar cytokines and assessment of overall survival to evaluate microbiota's impact.
Main Results:
- PGD grade 3 patients exhibited reduced alpha diversity, with increased Modestobacter, Scardovia, Selenomonas and decreased Klebsiella, Oribacterium.
- Lung microbiota alpha diversity negatively correlated with BALF IL-2 levels in PGD3 patients.
- Lower bacterial diversity was observed in non-survivors compared to survivors.
Conclusions:
- Lung microbiota composition varies in PGD grade 3 patients, indicating dysbiosis.
- Lung microbiota alterations are associated with lung immunity and may influence PGD severity.
- The lung microbiota holds potential for PGD diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.
More Related Videos
09:54Lung Rapid Recovery Procurement Combined with Abdominal Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Controlled Donation after Circulatory Death
Published on: August 15, 2022
06:15Author Spotlight: Investigating the Key Factors of Obliterative Bronchiolitis After Lung Transplantation
Published on: November 10, 2023