A scoping review of longitudinal airway microbiota studies

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The role of the microbiota in inflammatory airway diseases is unclear. Antimicrobial therapies have predominantly been guided by culture results. However, molecular sequencing has shown that the airway microbiota is much more complex and accurate modeling requires longitudinal analysis.

Areas covered

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses scoping review was performed by searching Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for all longitudinal airway microbiota studies that utilized molecular techniques. 38 studies with 1,993 participants were included in this review. Healthy microbial communities were more diverse, individualized and stable over time. Acute infections resulted in changes in the microbiota that were detected earlier and more sensitively by molecular sequencing than culture. Distinct microbiota profiles have been demonstrated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients associated with exacerbation frequency and severity.

Expert opinion

Longitudinal studies provide essential data on the stability of the microbiota over time and valuable information about the dynamic interactions between host, disease and microbes. We believe that molecular sequencing will be increasingly incorporated into research and clinical practice in the future. These advances can lead to improved diagnosis, enhanced prescribing guidance and reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage.

KEYWORDS:

• Molecular sequence data
• lung diseases
• sinusitis
• periodontal diseases
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Article highlights

• Molecular sequencing has shown that the airway microbiota is much more complex than culture has led us to believe.

• Because the microbiota can vary significantly over time, accurate modeling requires longitudinal analysis.

• These data demonstrate how molecular sequencing has the potential to improve antimicrobial treatment and predict prognosis in inflammatory airway diseases.

Supplemental Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Anne Wilson (Research Services Advisor, Philson Library, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand) for her support in developing the design of the search strategy.

Data availability statement

Data available within the article or its supplementary material.

Declaration of interest

T Yin is supported by the Garnett Passe & Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation Academic Surgeon-Scientist Research Scholarship. The authors have no other 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.

Author contributions

T Yin:

• Substantial contributions to the conception of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data; and drafting of the work; and final approval of the version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

J H Jeong:

• Substantial contributions to the conception of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data; and drafting of the work; and final approval of the version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

T F Hardcastle:

• Substantial contributions to the conception of the work, acquisition, analysis, interpretation of data; and drafting of the work; and final approval of the version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

K Biswas:

• Substantial contributions to the conception of the work; and drafting of the work; and final approval of the version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

R G Douglas:

• Substantial contributions to the conception of the work; and drafting of the work; and final approval of the version to be published; and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Geolocation information

The literature search was performed in Auckland, New Zealand. Studies from all countries and languages were included.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.