A systemic inflammatory illness termed sarcoidosis is characterised by the development of immune cell clumps called granulomas, mostly in the lungs.

Despite long-held beliefs that the lower airways were sterile, it has recently been proven that each set of airways contains its own unique "microbiome". This is the collective word for the microbes that are constantly present in the airways.

The current MicroILD investigation evaluated 35 sarcoidosis patients and 35 healthy controls. Sarcoidosis patients had a unique microbiome in their lungs compared to healthy controls. When compared to healthy controls, sarcoidosis patients had lower levels of antimicrobial peptides and an overabundance of the fungus Aspergillus in the lower airways.

The study suggests a potential link between the lower airways microbiota and the onset of sarcoidosis. This is one of the few studies demonstrating an altered microbiome in patients with sarcoidosis in the lower airways.

(Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221021/Study-shows-a-changed-microbiome-in-the-lower-airways-for-sarcoidosis-patients.aspx)