Nasal Microbiota Associated with the Lung Radiomic Features in Asthma

This study aims to characterize the nasal lavage fluid (NLF) microbiota in asthma and explore its relationship with lung radiomic features.

We collected NLF from 39 participants (12 controls and 27 asthma) for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Lung radiomics of asthma were analyzed manually and with NeuLungCARE software. The relationships between microbiota and radiomic features were investigated by correlation and regression analyses. Asthma microbiota was further characterized via Jensen-Shannon Divergence (JSD) clustering.

After adjusting for sex and age, the asthma group had a significantly elevated NLF bacterial load compared with the control group, while the microbial dysbiosis index (MDI) remained comparable between the two groups. The asthma group exhibited significantly elevated NLF bacterial load compared with the controls (P<0.05). The NLF bacterial load was positively correlated with sputum eosinophil percentage and mucus plugs score (both P<0.05) in asthma. Linear regression revealed that Shannon index was negatively correlated with the wall area percentage of the first-generation bronchi and the percentage of low attenuation area (LAA%) (both P<0.05). The Chao index showed significantly negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in 1s (P<0.05). Two distinct microbiota clusters were further identified by JSD clustering in asthma. Cluster 1 demonstrated significantly higher α diversity indices than Cluster 2, along with significant MDI deviation from the control group (all P<0.05). Patients in Cluster 1 had a significantly higher prevalence of CT-indicated bronchiectasis, lower LAA%-910, and a higher proportion of exacerbation-prone patients than Cluster 2 (all P<0.05).

The NLF microbiota correlated significantly with the lung radiomic, functional, and inflammatory markers. It is highly necessary to conduct further prospective research on the impact of NLF microbiota on the lower airway characteristics of asthma patients.