Sputum Microbiome, Potentially Pathogenic Organisms, and Clinical Outcomes in Japanese Patients with COPD and Moderate Airflow Limitation: The Prospective AERIS-J Study

• DOI: 10.2147/copd.s481406
• Publication Date: 2025-05-14T06:35:12Z
• Authors: Kazuhiro Yatera; Zhang Wang; Yoko Shibata; Nobuhisa Ishikawa; Tetsuya Homma; Kiyoyasu Fukushima; Osamu Hataji; Yoshikazu Inoue; Hiroki Kawabata; Keisuke Miki; Kazuhiro Sato; Kazunori Tobino; Makoto Yoshida; Takeo Ishii; Risako Ito; Tamami Kobayashi; Shinya Kawamatsu; Chris Compton; Paul Jones

In Western studies, lung microbiome changes are reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and associated poorer outcomes, but similar studies Asian or those less severe COPD limited. The Acute Exacerbation Respiratory InfectionS Japan (AERIS-J; jRCT1080224632/NCT03957577) was a prospective, non-interventional study to evaluate sputum diversity at baseline after 12 months (V2; exploratory analysis), aged 40-80 years stable (June 2019-June 2022). Baseline potentially pathogenic organisms (PPOs) were identified. Blood cell counts Assessment Test (CAT) scores collected symptoms measured over using the Evaluating Symptoms EXAcerbations of Chronic Tool, by eDiary. Patients (N=63) had mean age 72.8 years, percent predicted post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume 1 second 58.3%; 92% male. Across 62 samples, composition between 16S rRNA/metagenomic datasets. graded Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) III versus GOLD I/II minimal differences their microbial taxonomic profile no (Wilcoxon P=0.71). Alpha (Shannon index) positively correlated blood basophils (rho=0.41; P=0.0019) negatively CAT score (rho=0.36; P=0.0069). (rho: -0.0637; P=0.7836) 0.1739; P=0.2043) eosinophils not correlated. No difference alpha (P=0.5) beta (P=0.3) Operational Taxonomic Unit (Anosim R=-0.024; P=0.892) observed PPO-positive -negative sputum. A diverse health status lower moderate airflow limitation. There relationship PPO presence diversity.