Microbiological, Immunological and Biochemical Characteristics of the Development of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

The respiratory microbiome plays a critical role in metabolism, immune system
maturation, and protection against pathogens. Traditionally, respiratory
microbiology in pneumonia focused on identifying a specific pathogen, often
disregarding normal oral flora as contaminants. However, recent research
highlights the importance of the pulmonary microbiome's altered composition
(dysbiosis) and its association with diseases such as Ventilator-Associated
Pneumonia (VAP). The relationship between dysbiosis and immune dysregulation
remains unclear, raising questions about whether dysbiosis is a cause or
consequence of disease progression. This dataset explores the respiratory
microbiome's role in nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections in ICU
patients.

This prospective, observational dataset was built in an ICU in Chia, Colombia,
focusing on adult patients requiring mechanical ventilation without initial
pneumonia. Clinical data and biological samples, including bronchoalveolar
lavage, orotracheal secretion, and blood, were collected at multiple time
points. Microbiome analysis involved DNA extraction, gene sequencing of the
16S ribosomal unit, and bioinformatic analysis to characterize microbial
diversity. Concurrently, pulmonary, and systemic inflammatory markers were
quantified using ELISA.

The dataset enrolled 141 patients, generating a comprehensive dataset on
demographic, clinical, and microbiome variables. This research not only
provides insights into the microbial ecology of VAP but also establishes a
repository of data for future studies. The findings underscore the complex
interplay between the microbiome and disease in critically ill patients, with
implications for improving clinical outcomes in the ICU setting.