Microbial alteration of lower respiratory tract from critically ill patients with community-acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia is the most common infectious disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) and its mortality rate varies from 24% to 50%. Early identification of the pathogens to administrate adequate antibiotics is the most important factor in decreasing the mortality in pneumonia. In this study, we aim to investigate the microbial alteration of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples using 16S rRNA metagenomics sequencing in respiratory failure patients due to severe pneumonia in ICU.