Massimiliano Pirrone1, Riccardo Pinciroli, Lorenzo Berra. 1. aDipartimento di Anestesiologia, Terapia Intensiva e Scienze Dermatologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano bDipartimento di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy cDepartment of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lower respiratory tract infections remain one of the leading causes of death in the world. Recently, the introduction of molecular methods based on DNA sequencing and microarrays for the identification of nonculturable microorganisms and subspecies variations has challenged the previous 'one bug - one disease' paradigm, providing us with a broader view on human microbial communities and their role in the development of infectious diseases. The purpose of this review is to describe recent understanding of the role of microbiome and bacterial biofilm in the development of lung infections, and, at the same time, to present new areas of research opportunities. RECENT FINDINGS: The review describes recent literature in cystic fibrosis patients, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, and literature in mechanically ventilated patients that helped to elucidate the role of microbiome and biofilm formation in the development of pneumonia. SUMMARY: The characterization of the human microbiome and biofilms has changed our understanding of lower respiratory tract infections. More comprehensive, sensitive, and fast methods for bacterial, fungal, and viral detection are warranted to establish the colonization of the lower respiratory tract in healthy individuals and sick patients. Future research might explore the global bacterial, fungal, and viral pulmonary ecosystems and their interdependence to target novel preventive approaches and therapeutic strategies in chronic and acute lung infections.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lower respiratory tract infections remain one of the leading causes of death in the world. Recently, the introduction of molecular methods based on DNA sequencing and microarrays for the identification of nonculturable microorganisms and subspecies variations has challenged the previous 'one bug - one disease' paradigm, providing us with a broader view on human microbial communities and their role in the development of infectious diseases. The purpose of this review is to describe recent understanding of the role of microbiome and bacterial biofilm in the development of lung infections, and, at the same time, to present new areas of research opportunities. RECENT FINDINGS: The review describes recent literature in cystic fibrosispatients, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasepatients, and literature in mechanically ventilated patients that helped to elucidate the role of microbiome and biofilm formation in the development of pneumonia. SUMMARY: The characterization of the human microbiome and biofilms has changed our understanding of lower respiratory tract infections. More comprehensive, sensitive, and fast methods for bacterial, fungal, and viral detection are warranted to establish the colonization of the lower respiratory tract in healthy individuals and sick patients. Future research might explore the global bacterial, fungal, and viral pulmonary ecosystems and their interdependence to target novel preventive approaches and therapeutic strategies in chronic and acute lung infections.
Authors: Erika Alejandra Cifuentes; Maria A Sierra; Andrés Felipe Yepes; Ana Margarita Baldión; José Antonio Rojas; Carlos Arturo Álvarez-Moreno; Juan Manuel Anzola; María Mercedes Zambrano; Monica G Huertas Journal: Respir Res Date: 2022-06-24
Authors: Gennaro De Pascale; Mariano Alberto Pennisi; Maria Sole Vallecoccia; Giuseppe Bello; Riccardo Maviglia; Luca Montini; Valentina Di Gravio; Salvatore Lucio Cutuli; Giorgio Conti; Massimo Antonelli Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-05-11 Impact factor: 3.240