The Role of Microbiomes in Lung Health: A New Frontier in Pulmonary Disease Research

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of the lung microbiome in pulmonary diseases, particularly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs).

Methodology: This retrospective observational study included 200 patients diagnosed with COPD, asthma, lung cancer, or ILD, with a total of 50 patients per disease group. Data were collected from medical records between June 2022 and June 2023. The study employed 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze the lung microbiome and assessed disease severity, smoking history, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and independent t-tests, were performed to assess relationships between microbiome dysbiosis and clinical parameters.

Results: The study found that 72% of lung cancer patients exhibited microbiome dysbiosis, followed by 50% of ILD patients, 40% of COPD patients, and 38% of asthma patients. Significant age differences were found between COPD (mean age 65) and asthma patients (mean age 40), with a p-value of 0.02. A significant association was observed between smoking history and microbiome dysbiosis (p=0.03). Additionally, microbiome dysbiosis was linked to poor treatment response, with 45% of COPD patients with dysbiosis showing a positive response compared to 75% of those with a normal microbiome (p=0.01).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that microbiome dysbiosis is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis and treatment response of pulmonary diseases. Future studies should focus on microbiome modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy for these conditions.

Keywords: lung microbiome, COPD, asthma, lung cancer, microbiome dysbiosis