The Airway Microbiome in Health and Disease

The microbiome of the lungs is significant for respiratory clinicians, as recurrent infections from bacteria and viruses are associated with a decline in quality of life and lung function of patients.^1,2 For example, a reduced number of diverse Prevotella has been linked to COPD symptom severity.³

Dr Aran Singanayagam talks about the discovery of the lung microbiome and the presence of airway microbiota in respiratory disease, such as asthma, COPD and Cystic fibrosis. He also discusses the unique nature of the respiratory tract in the context of the microbiome.

Dr Singanayagam presents data on how viruses can cause disease instability, such as the presence of proteobacteria as a potential predictor of exacerbation frequency in COPD patients. And answers the question ‘How does the airway microbiome affect immunity?’

This presentation includes a clinical case study – with reference to sputum culture results. Please also consider watching the on-demand video ‘The Microbiome and Asthma’ by Professor Timothy Hinks who presents on the significance of Haemophilus influenzae in asthma patients.

References

1. Imperial College London. Article by Ms Helen Johnson: Better Understanding of lung microbiome opens door for new respiratory treatment. March 2024. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/251814/better-understanding-lung-microbiome-opens-door/

2. Chung KF. Airway microbial dysbiosis in asthmatic patients: a target for prevention and treatment? J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017;139:1071 – 81 .

3. Ramsheh MY, Haldar K, Esteve-Codina A, et al. Lung microbiome composition and bronchial epithelial gene expression in patients with COPD versus healthy individuals: a bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and host transcriptomic analysis. Lancet Microbe. 2021;2(7):e300-e310. doi:10.1016/S2666-5247(21)00035-5

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• Dr Aran Singanayagam

  MRC Clinician Scientist and Consultant in Respiratory Medicine

  Read biography
  Dr Aran Singanayagam

  MRC Clinician Scientist and Consultant in Respiratory Medicine Imperial College London and Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital

  Role and Location 
  Dr. Aran Singanayagam is an MRC Clinician Scientist Group Leader at Imperial College London and Honorary Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.

  Education
  He qualified from the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 2005.

  Research Interests
  Aran’s research program employs a reverse translational approach using in vitro and in vivo disease models to understand how pulmonary host-defence is dysregulated in the context of inflammatory airway diseases with a specific focus on roles played by airway microbiota. He has published extensively in this area (h-index 50) and sits on the Editorial Boards of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and European Respiratory Journal.