Airway Microbiome in Respiratory Diseases

Mangen Joshua Fred

Department of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda

Email: mangenjoshuafred@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The airway microbiome is a dynamic and diverse ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that contributes critically to respiratory health and disease. In health, microbial communities maintain homeostasis through interactions with epithelial barriers and host immune responses. Dysbiosis, or imbalance of these microbial populations, is increasingly recognized as a central factor in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia. Shifts in microbial diversity, enrichment of pathobionts, and disruption of host–microbiome interactions contribute to inflammation, impaired immunity, and disease progression. Advances in sequencing and bioinformatics have enabled detailed characterization of airway microbiota, while environmental exposures, host genetics, and lifestyle factors have been identified as key determinants of microbial composition. Emerging evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of microbiome modulation through probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotic stewardship, and personalized medicine approaches. Future directions include longitudinal studies, integration of multi-omics, and well-designed clinical trials to better define causality and therapeutic opportunities. Understanding the airway microbiome offers significant promise for novel prognostic markers and targeted interventions in respiratory disease.

Keywords: Airway microbiome, Dysbiosis, Respiratory diseases, Probiotics and prebiotics, and personalized medicine.

CITE AS: Mangen Joshua Fred (2025). Airway Microbiome in Respiratory Diseases. IDOSR JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES 10(2):1-9, 2025. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJAS/2025/102.19000