Infection and rejection are the two most common complications after lung transplantation (LTx) and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine the association between airway microbiota and infection and rejection in lung transplant recipients (LTRs).

Infection and rejection are the two most common complications after lung transplantation (LTx) and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine the association between airway microbiota and infection and rejection in lung transplant recipients (LTRs).181 sputum samples (event free, n=47; infection, n=103; rejection, n=31) were collected from 59 LTRs. DNA was extracted and amplified, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to determine the airway bacterial community.Our study is the first to investigated the airway microbiota features in infection and rejection of LTRs. The combination of airway microbiota and PCT and T lymphocyte showed great predictive efficiency to discriminate between infection, rejection and clinical stable recipients, suggesting that the airway microbiota may be an adjunct biomarker for infection and rejection diagnosis in LTRs.