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Updated: May 10, 2025
Design and Development of a Model to Study the Effect of Supplemental Oxygen on the Cystic Fibrosis Airway Microbiome
Published on: August 3, 2021
An observational study of the lung microbiome and lung function in young children with cystic fibrosis across two
Wangfei Wang1, Yang Chen2, Mladen Rasic3
1Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Insights
In infants with cystic fibrosis (CF), early lung microbiome diversity differs by country and antibiotic use. A shift toward Streptococcus is linked to reduced lung function.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease manifests early in life.
- Prophylactic antibiotics are used to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infections in CF patients.
- This study investigates the lung microbiome in two countries with differing antibiotic practices and its impact on lung function in young children with CF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the lower airway microbiome in infants with CF.
- To compare lung microbiota in infants with and without prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
- To assess the relationship between pulmonary function, bacterial diversity, and specific taxa.
Main Methods:
- A binational, longitudinal, observational study.
- 16S rRNA sequencing of lavage fluid from 45 infants with CF at approximately 3 and 14 months of age.
- Association analysis between pulmonary function (FEV0.5z), microbial diversity, and bacterial taxa.
Main Results:
- Core taxa included expected CF genera and non-traditional bacteria like Streptococcus.
- Antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with lower alpha diversity and a higher proportion of Streptococcus.
- Reduced pulmonary function (FEV0.5z) was linked to beta diversity and a higher abundance of Streptococcus.
Conclusions:
- Lung microbial diversity in infants with CF varied between countries, especially in early infancy.
- A shift in the lung microbiome towards higher Streptococcus relative abundance correlated with reduced pulmonary function.
- Alterations in the lung microbiota may be associated with antimicrobial resistance.
Background:
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease begins early, and prophylactic antibiotics have been used to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection. This study examined the lung microbiome in two countries with differing antibiotic practices and its relationship to lung function in young children with CF.
Methods:
A binational, longitudinal, observational study was performed to define the lower airway microbiome in infants with CF. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed using lavage fluid to characterize the lung microbiota in 45 infants with and without prophylactic antibiotic therapy at an average age of approximately 3 months and 14 months. The association between pulmonary function, bacterial community diversities, and taxa was assessed.
Results:
Expected CF bacterial genera and non-traditional bacteria, such as Streptococcus, were identified as core taxa. Microbial community shifts were observed in infants who received antibiotic prophylaxis, with lower alpha diversity (ANOVA, P < 0.05) and a higher proportion of Streptococcus at the first visit. Beta diversity (FEV0.5z; MiRKAT, P < 0.05) and Streptococcus were associated with FEV0.5z (LASSO and linear regression, β < 0). Functional annotation suggested that alteration of lung microbiota may be linked to antimicrobial resistance.
Conclusions:
Lung microbial diversity in infants with CF varied between the two countries, particularly during early infancy. A shift in the lung microbiome toward a higher relative abundance of Streptococcus was associated with reduced pulmonary function.
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