Changes in the respiratory microbiome during acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molyneaux, Philip; Cox, Michael; Wells, Athol; Kim, Ho; Ji, Wonjun; Cookson, William; Moffatt, Miriam; Kim, Dong; Maher, Toby
• Is Part Of: Respiratory research. Volume 18:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis -- Acute exacerbation -- Bacterial infection -- 16S; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.2005
• DOI: 10.1186/s12931-017-0511-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-993X

Abstract

Abstract Acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) have been defined as events of clinically significant respiratory deterioration with an unidentifiable cause. They carry a significant mortality and morbidity and while their exact pathogenesis remains unclear, the possibility remains that hidden infection may play a role. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether changes in the respiratory microbiota occur during an AE-IPF. Bacterial DNA was extracted from bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with stable IPF and those experiencing an AE-IPF. A hyper-variable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rRNA) was amplified, quantified and pyrosequenced. Culture independent techniques demonstrate AE-IPF is associated with an increased BAL bacterial burden compared to stable disease and highlight shifts in the composition of the respiratory microbiota during an AE-IPF.