The microbiome and tuberculosis: state of the art, potential applications, and defining the clinical research agenda

Abstract

The diverse microbial communities within our bodies produce metabolites that modulate host immune responses. Even the microbiome at distal sites has an important function in respiratory health. However, the clinical importance of the microbiome in tuberculosis, the biggest infectious cause of death worldwide, is only starting to be understood. Here, we critically review research on the microbiome's association with pulmonary tuberculosis. The research indicates five main points: (1) susceptibility to infection and progression to active tuberculosis is altered by gut Helicobacter co-infection, (2) aerosol Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection changes the gut microbiota, (3) oral anaerobes in the lung make metabolites that decrease pulmonary immunity and predict progression, (4) the increased susceptibility to reinfection of patients who have previously been treated for tuberculosis is likely due to the depletion of T-cell epitopes on commensal gut non-tuberculosis mycobacteria, and (5) the prolonged antibiotic treatment required for cure of tuberculosis has long-term detrimental effects on the microbiome. We highlight knowledge gaps, considerations for addressing these knowledge gaps, and describe potential targets for modifying the microbiome to control tuberculosis.