{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Microbiome in the nasopharynx: Insights into the impact of COVID-19 severity.
{Author}: Galeana-Cadena D;Ramirez-Martínez G;Alberto Choreño-Parra J;Silva-Herzog E;Margarita Hernández-Cárdenas C;Soberón X;Zúñiga J;
{Journal}: Heliyon
{Volume}: 10
{Issue}: 10
{Year}: 2024 May 30
{Factor}: 3.776
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31562
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The respiratory tract harbors a variety of microbiota, whose composition and abundance depend on specific site factors, interaction with external factors, and disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 severity and the nasopharyngeal microbiome.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>We conducted a prospective cohort study in Mexico City, collecting nasopharyngeal swabs from 30 COVID-19 patients and 14 healthy volunteers. Microbiome profiling was performed using 16S rRNA gene analysis. Taxonomic assignment, classification, diversity analysis, core microbiome analysis, and statistical analysis were conducted using R packages.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The microbiome data analysis revealed taxonomic shifts within the nasopharyngeal microbiome in severe COVID-19. Particularly, we observed a significant reduction in the relative abundance of Lawsonella and Cutibacterium genera in critically ill COVID-19 patients (p < 0.001). In contrast, these patients exhibited a marked enrichment of Streptococcus, Actinomyces, Peptostreptococcus, Atopobium, Granulicatella, Mogibacterium, Veillonella, Prevotella_7, Rothia, Gemella, Alloprevotella, and Solobacterium genera (p < 0.01). Analysis of the core microbiome across all samples consistently identified the presence of Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Streptococcus.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Our study suggests that the disruption of physicochemical conditions and barriers resulting from inflammatory processes and the intubation procedure in critically ill COVID-19 patients may facilitate the colonization and invasion of the nasopharynx by oral microorganisms.