The Microbiome and Asthma

The rates of bacteria found within the lungs have been linked to respiratory conditions, such as the presence of Haemophilus influenzae in asthma patients.¹

Professor Timothy Hinks presents on the microbiome in asthma. He explains how Haemophilus influenzae can persist within the lungs and is associated with exacerbations, including images of its presence on human airway epithelial cells.

He discusses the role of macrolides and in which patients it may be an effective choice of antibacterial treatment for. He finishes his presentation by briefly outlining how the microbiome can play a role in the development of asthma, referencing early and adult life factors.

This presentation includes a clinical case study.

Please also consider watching the on-demand video ‘The Airway Microbiome in Health and Disease’ by Dr Aran Singanayagam, who presents on the presence of airway microbiota in respiratory disease.

References

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

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• Professor Timothy SC Hinks

  Associate Professor, Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant

  Read biography
  Professor Timothy SC Hinks

  Associate Professor, Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant University of Oxford

  Role and Location
  Professor Timothy Hinks is a Wellcome Career Development Fellow at the University of Oxford, where his group researches the immunology of airways diseases and airways infections.

  Education
  After training at Cambridge and Oxford, and predoctoral research into TB immunology, he undertook a Wellcome funded PhD in Southampton on T cell responses in asthma, with subsequent postdoctoral research in Melbourne studying pulmonary MAIT cells.

  Research Interests
  In 2017 he established his group at Oxford, focusing on the role of microbes and macrolides in asthma, functions of MAIT cells and the immunoepigenomics of asthma using bronchoscopies, single cell and spatial technologies. As an Honorary Consultant and Associate Professor, he co-leads the Severe Asthma Service at the John Radcliffe Hospital.