2026/01/19 by Wei Ling Yolanda Koo, Kai Xian Thng, P Y Tiew +1 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Health Professions · Medicine · #Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research #Gut microbiota and health #Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
paper · pdf · doi:10.31083/bjhm50163
openalex publication_date 2026/01/19 · openalex created_date 2026/02/01 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and debilitating respiratory condition marked by chronic symptoms and frequent exacerbations, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. The advent of molecular microbiology and next-generation sequencing (NGS) has expanded our understanding of the lung microbiome, and integration of microbiome datasets with other omics reveals important microbial-metabolic-immuno-inflammatory interactions that influence COPD pathogenesis. Recent studies have highlighted dysbiosis of the airway microbiome, with shifts in bacterial, viral, and fungal communities playing a crucial role in disease progression, exacerbations and clinical outcomes. Moreover, microbiome changes are observed in COPD associated overlap syndromes, complicating diagnosis and treatment. This review synthesizes current microbiome research in COPD, focusing on its clinical relevance, including its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. We additionally discuss the challenges of integrating microbiome data into clinical practice, emphasizing the need for personalized, precision medicine approaches to optimize COPD management and improve patient outcomes.