Three clinically distinct chronic pediatric airway infections share a common core microbiota

We used bacterial 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and ecological statistical tools to compare the core respiratory microbiota from three cohorts of children with clinically distinct airway diseases: Protracted bacterial bronchitis, non-CF bronchiectasis, and CF. The subject groups also differed in age, geography, antibiotic and steroid use, culture results, and lung function. We found that the core respiratory microbiota of all three cohorts were strikingly similar, arguing against airway disease-specific microbiota initiating chronic infection.