Scientists have been interested in a new microbiota for around 5 years : the lower respiratory tract microbiota.
Initially, the respiratory microbiota was considered sterile because of mechanical purification ans phagocytosis phenomena. In fact, it consists of a dynamic ecosystem of microorganisms in lungs and bronchi. Respiratory microbiota composition would depend on the ethnic and environmental factors such as geographical area, climate, exposure to domestic animals… Its functions are still not completely understood, but it possibly plays an important role in inflammatory diseases of respiratory tract.
A link between the respiratory and intestinal microbiota exists. Indeed, 70% of immune cells are made in the intestines, conferring an essential role to the gut microbiota in immunity locally, in the digestive tract, but also remotely, in the lungs. An intestinal microbiota disruption may impact the respiratory system, which may promote the development of allergic or infectious lung diseases.
Its discovery will certainly help learn about lower repiratory pathologies in the coming years.
Currently, no scientific publications linking the respiratory microbiota and probiotic intake exists. However, these findings suggest that probiotic consumption could be benefic to the respiratory microbiota and associated diseases, by the rebalancing of the intestinal microbiota.
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