Abstract:
Human microbiota, influenced by factors like geography and lifestyle, significantly contributes to immune responses. Despite its importance in respiratory health, respiratory microbiota remains understudied, with research primarily focused on Europe, North America, and East Asia. To address this gap, this study establishes the core natural microflora of the respiratory tract in Lebanon, an understudied population. Nasal swab samples were collected from Lebanese individuals and 16S rRNA targeted metagenomic sequencing was performed to characterize the core respiratory microbiota and compared it to other populations. Results revealed a diverse bacterial community in the upper respiratory tract, with Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus being the dominant genera. Additionally, the study conducts an in-depth genomic analysis of bacterial pathogens isolated from patients with respiratory tract infections, focusing on Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains. Genomic, biochemical, and microbial analyses were performed. These strains exhibited multidrug resistance in a clinical setting, which was confirmed by genomic analysis, that also revealed virulence factors, with evidence of horizontal gene transfer. In conclusion, this pilot study provides a first glimpse into the respiratory microbiota and a deeper glance into antibiotic resistance of emerging pathogens in Lebanon, marking a foundational step toward tailoring therapeutic strategies to the specific needs of Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean populations and advancing the understanding of the respiratory micro-community in the region while contributing to global efforts to uncover the lifestyle of superbugs in a world threatened by antimicrobial resistance.
