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.

Clinical Transplantation
|October 3, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

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.