Microbiota-derived metabolites as diagnostic markers for respiratory fungal infections

• Published in: Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis 2020-09, Vol.189, p.113473-113473, Article 113473
• Main Authors: Hérivaux, Anaїs, Gonçalves, Samuel M., Carvalho, Agostinho, Cunha, Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aspergillus; Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Fungal infection; Microbiota; VOCs
• ISSN: 0731-7085; 1873-264X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113473

•Microbiota metabolites are potential biomarkers for pulmonary fungal infections.•Detection of unique volatile organic compounds has diagnostic potential.•Patterns of volatile organic compounds may identify fungal species and genera.•Diagnostic performance of volatile organic compounds requires standardization. An emerging body of evidence has highlighted the significant role of the pulmonary microbiota during respiratory infections. The individual microbiome is nowadays recognized to supervise the outcome of the host-pathogen interaction by orchestrating mechanisms of immune regulation, inflammation, metabolism, and other physiological processes. A shift in the normal flora of the respiratory tract is associated with several lung inflammatory disorders including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cystic fibrosis. These diseases are characterized by a lung microenvironment that becomes permissive to infections caused by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Although the role of the lung microbiota in the pathophysiology of respiratory fungal diseases remains elusive, microbiota-derived components have been proposed as important biomarkers to be considered in the diagnosis of these severe infections. Here, we review this emerging area of research and discuss the potential of microbiota-derived products in the diagnosis of respiratory fungal diseases.