Neonatal Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Microbiome in Cystic Fibrosis: Potential Interactions and Implications for Systemic Health

Abstract

Purpose: The gastrointestinal microbiome plays a critical role in nutrition and metabolic and immune functions in infants and young children and has implications for lifelong health. Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations in CF result in viscous mucous production, frequent exposure to antibiotics, and atypical colonization patterns, resulting in an evolving dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal and respiratory microsystems; dysbiosis in CF results in systemic inflammation, chronic infection, and dysregulation of immune function. Dysbiosis in both the respiratory system and gut contributes to undernutrition, growth failure, and long-term respiratory and systemic morbidity in infants and children with CF. Understanding the role that the gut and respiratory microbiome plays in health or disease progression in CF will afford opportunities to better identify interventions to affect clinical changes.

Methods: Summary was done of the pertinent literature in CF and the study of the microbiome and probiotics.

Findings: New studies have identified bacteria in the respiratory tract in CF that are typically members of the intestinal microbiota, and enteral exposures to breast milk and probiotics are associated with prolonged periods of respiratory stability in CF.

Implications: Understanding the complex interactions between the CFTR mutations, microbial colonization, and mucosal and systemic immunity is of major importance to inform new treatment strategies (such as restoring a healthier microbiome with probiotics or dietary interventions) to improve nutritional status and immune competence and to decrease morbidity and mortality in CF.

Keywords: Infant; intestinal microbiome; probiotics; respiratory microbiome.