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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
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Microbiome in connective tissue diseases associated interstitial lung disease
Francesco Puppo1, Roberto G Carbone1
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Frontiers in Medicine
|April 6, 2026
Summary
Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, may influence interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in connective tissue diseases (CTD). Further research is needed to understand this gut-lung axis connection and explore probiotic therapies for CTD-ILD.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- The human microbiome, a complex community of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in host health.
- Dysbiosis, or microbiome imbalance, is linked to inflammation and the pathogenesis of various diseases, including connective tissue diseases (CTD).
- Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are characterized by lung fibrosis and are a significant cause of mortality in CTD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the role of the microbiome in connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases (CTD-ILD).
- To focus on clinical lung aspects and potential therapeutic strategies related to dysbiosis in CTD-ILD.
- To highlight the incomplete understanding of the gut-lung axis in CTD-ILD pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing literature on the microbiome in CTD-ILD.
- It examines the association between gut dysbiosis and ILD development.
- The review discusses clinical implications and therapeutic options, including probiotics.
Main Results:
- Altered lung microbiome and high microbial load are associated with poorer prognosis and acute exacerbations in CTD-ILD patients.
- Specific CTD subtypes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and dermatomyositis, show particular associations with lung microbiome changes.
- The gut-lung axis connection in CTD-ILD development requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Dysbiosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of CTD-ILD, impacting disease progression and outcomes.
- Probiotics are being considered as a potential supportive therapy for CTD-ILD by modulating gut flora.
- More research is essential to fully elucidate the relationship between dysbiosis and CTD-ILD and to validate therapeutic interventions.
Keywords:
connective tissue diseasesdysbiosisidiopathic pulmonary fibrosisinterstitial lung diseasesmicrobiomenon-specific idiopathic pneumoniaMore Related Videos
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