ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of induced sputum microbiome in the patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).MethodsInduced sputum samples from 55 patients with AECOPD and 45 patients with stable COPD were analyzed by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Microbiota was measured by alpha diversity, beta diversity and LDA effect size analysis (LefSe).ResultsThe microbiome diversity of induced sputum in the AECOPD group was lower than that in the stable COPD group. The microbiome richness in the AECOPD group was higher than that in the stable COPD group. The microbiome structure changed in the AECOPD group compared with the stable COPD group. The proportion of some common pathogens got enriched. The levels of hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Global Initative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grade were negatively related to the diversity of microbiome in the AECOPD group.ConclusionsThe microbiome diversity of induced sputum in AECOPD patients is decreased, and is negatively correlated with the levels of hs-CRP, IL-8, TNF-α and GOLD grade. There are differences in the microbiome structure between AECOPD and stable COPD patients. Some enrichment of common pathogens are found in the induced sputum of patients with AECOPD. These results suggest that there is a significant bacterial dysbiosis in patients with AECOPD.
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by abnormal neuronal discharges in the brain, affecting a large population worldwide. Approximately one-third of patients develop drug-resistant epilepsy, posing significant challenges in clinical management. Recent evidence highlights the involvement of gut microbiota (gastrointestinal microbiome, GM) in epilepsy pathogenesis and progression through the gut-brain axis. Patients with epilepsy exhibit marked alterations in the composition and function of gut microbiota, which may influence the disease process via immune, neuroendocrine, and metabolic pathways. Interventions targeting the gut microbiota have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes recent advances in the field and discusses the potential applications and challenges of microbiota-based interventions, aiming to provide new insights for epilepsy treatment.