A Study of Diversity and Abundance in Nasal Microbiome Transcriptomic Profiles Among Asthmatic Individuals

Overview

Asthma, a predominant chronic condition among children, presents a multifaceted etiology, affecting 300 million individuals globally and imposing an $80 billion economic burden in the US alone. Recent strides in microbiome research have highlighted a prono unced link between microbiota dysbiosis and asthma pathogenesis, particularly within the gut microbiome, offering new avenues for intervention. However, the nasal microbiome, despite its critical exposure to external bacteria, remains inadequately explored . This study examines the Meta-transcriptomic profiles from nasal brushings of 694 asthmatic or healthy Puerto- Rican children, aiming to elucidate the role of the nasal microbiome in asthma. Utilizing alpha and beta diversity measures, Wilcoxon test and Differential Abundance Analysis, we found that asthmatic patients were notably more diverse and abundant with certain pathogenic bacteria. Asthmatic individuals exhibited increased microbiota richness, evidenced by elevated values in Shannon’s index (p = 7.6E-04). Noteworthy disparities in species abundances were also discerned; protective species like Corynebacterium ammoniagenes were downregulated in asthmatics (adj_ p = 9.9E-3), while pathogenic strains like Staphylococcus aureus (log2FC = .12, adj_ p = 7.95E -05) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (log2FC = .04, adj_p = 1.24E-07) were upregulated, aligning with existing literature. Particularly noteworthy is the discovery of Staphylococcus pettenkoferi (log2FC = 8.50, adj_p = 4.50E-14), a relatively unexplored pathogen, which may hold significant implications for asthma pathogenesis. Our findings reinforce established research, introduce novel insights enhancing diagnostic precision and opening new research pathways. The stu dy emphasizes the nasal microbiome’s crucial role in comprehension and management of asthma, paving the way for future investigation in this underexamined domain.

Competition history

• JSHS 2024 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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