Comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiota in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity-A prospective, observational study
Jiali Yan,
Zhenhu Wu,
Li Deng,
Chunzhen Huang,
Yuting Jing,
Xiao-yin Chen,
Yinji Xu
Affiliations
Jiali Yan
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510403, Guangdong Province, China
Zhenhu Wu
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510403, Guangdong Province, China
Li Deng
School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
Chunzhen Huang
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510403, Guangdong Province, China
Yuting Jing
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510403, Guangdong Province, China
Xiao-yin Chen
School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China; Corresponding author.
Yinji Xu
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510403, Guangdong Province, China; Corresponding author. Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong Province, China.
Accumulating evidence has highlighted the influence of the gut microbiota on lung immunity. We examined the effects of changes in intestinal microecology on the development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and identified microbial biomarkers for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Fecal samples were collected from 30 patients with stable COPD, 30 patients with AECOPD, and 10 healthy individuals. Fecal microbiological profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed a distinct difference in the bacterial community composition between the AECOPD, COPD, and healthy control groups. The COPD and AECOPD groups had higher levels of Firmicutes but lower levels of Bacteroidetes compared to the healthy control group at the phylum level. At the genus level, there was an increased abundance of Lachnoclostridium, Alistipes, Streptococcus, and Prevotella in COPD and AECOPD patients. Increasing levels of Lachnoclostridium and Prevotella may indicate an acute exacerbation of COPD. This study identified specific microbial biomarkers associated with AECOPD and characterized the composition of gut microbiota in patients with AECOPD.
