The respiratory microbiome of HIV-infected individuals

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The respiratory tract is constantly exposed to various environmental and endogenous microbes; however, unlike other similar mucosal surfaces, there has been limited investigation of the microbiome of the respiratory tract.

Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge of the bacterial, fungal, and viral respiratory microbiomes during HIV infection and how the microbiome might relate to HIV-associated lung disease.

Expert commentary: HIV infection is associated with alterations in the respiratory microbiome. The clinical implications of lung microbial dysbiosis are however currently unknown. Mechanistic studies are needed to establish causality between shifts in the respiratory microbiome and pulmonary complications in HIV-infected individuals.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV infection
• lung microbiome
• mycobiome
• virome
• pulmonary disease
• bronchoalveolar lavage

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. The authors would like to thank Dr Meghan Fitzpatrick for her role in the review of the drafts.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Health (grant number: K24 HL123432 to A Morris, RO1 HL125049S to M Lawani).