Abstract
Background: Aspiration is associated with non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease and airway dysbiosis is associated with increased inflammation. We examined whether NTM disease was associated with a distinct airway microbiota and immune profile.
Methods: 297 oral wash and induced sputum samples were collected from 106 participants with respiratory symptoms and imaging abnormalities compatible with NTM. Lower airway samples were obtained in 20 participants undergoing bronchoscopy. 16S rRNA gene and a nested mycobacteriome sequencing approaches characterised microbiota composition. Inflammatory profiles of lower airway samples were also examined.
Results: The prevalence of NTM+ cultures was 58%. Few changes were noted in microbiota characteristic or composition in oral wash and sputum samples among groups. Among NTM+ samples, 27% of the lower airway samples were enriched with Mycobacterium. A mycobacteriome approach identified Mycobacterium in a greater percentage of samples, including some non-pathogenic strains. In NTM+ lower airway samples, taxa identified as oral commensals were associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers.
Conclusions: The 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach is not sensitive in identifying NTM among airway samples which are culture positive. However, associations between lower airway inflammation and microbiota signatures suggest a potential role for these microbes in the inflammatory process in NTM disease.
Footnotes
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Conflict of interest: Dr. Sulaiman has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Li has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Scott has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Malecha has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Scaglione has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Wang has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Basavaraj has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Chung has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bantis has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Carpenito has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Clemente has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Shen has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bessich has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Rafeq has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Michaud has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Donington has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Naidoo has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Theron has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Schattner has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Garofano has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Condos has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Kamelhar has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Addrizzo-Harris has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Segal has nothing to disclose.
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