The dynamic changes in lung microbiota during the occurrence and development of influenza-induced pneumonia

Influenza A virus (IAV) is the primary viral pathogen responsible for acute respiratory infections, with secondary bacterial infections playing a major role in severe influenza and potentially fatal outcomes. Lung microbiota dysbiosis has been observed in viral respiratory diseases and is closely associated with disease severity and poor outcomes. However, the dynamic characteristics of lung microbiota during the occurrence and development of IAV-induced pneumonia and its role in lung injury remain to be studied.This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in lung microbiota during the progression of pneumonia following IAV infection.Using correlation analysis, we further explored the association between alterations in lung microbiota, lung injury, and lung inflammation. By comparing the temporal sequence of microbiota dysbiosis with the development of lung injury and employing microbiota transplantation methods, we sought to elucidate the causal relationship between lung microbiota dysbiosis and lung injury. Additionally, a broad-target metabolomics analysis of lung tissue was conducted to investigate the connection between metabolites and microbiota-host interactions. Furthermore, influenza infection can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and anorexia (27351973) and alter the gut microbiota. Most studies have focused solely on bacterial changes at a single time point following influenza infection, thereby lacking research on the dynamic changes in gut microbiota throughout the course of influenza. Consequently, we also observed and analyzed the dynamic shifts in gut microbiota following IAV infection.