Human airway microbiome composition and sputum inflammatory cell profiles are altered with controlled wood smoke exposure as a model for wildfire smoke

Understanding the human respiratory response to biomass derived smoke exposure has become crucial with the increase in global wildfire events. The respiratory microbiome, a critical component of the respiratory tract, may influence the host's response to airborne pollutants. This longitudinal study examined the effects of controlled wood smoke exposure on the respiratory microbiome of healthy individuals. Induced sputum samples from 54 healthy volunteers were collected before and after exposure to wood smoke. DNA was extracted from these samples, and the V3V4 region of the 16S rDNA gene was sequenced to characterize the microbiome.