Airway microbiome dysbiosis in severe pneumonia: metagenomic evidence of pathogen expansion and commensal depletion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The pulmonary microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key determinant of pneumonia severity, yet its clinical implications remain incompletely understood. Disruption of microbial ecology, or dysbiosis, may impair host immune responses and exacerbate disease progression. This study aimed to characterize microbiome alterations associated with severe pneumonia and their correlation with host inflammatory and coagulative parameters.

Methods

In this multicenter, prospective observational cohort study conducted across nine hospitals in Shanghai (2021-2025), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 306 patients with clinically diagnosed pulmonary infections were analyzed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Patients were stratified into severe

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12924258 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature