Lung Microbiome, Immune Response, and Metabolomic Dysregulation in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.
This project investigates the pulmonary microbiome, immune response, and metabolic alterations in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were collected from patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours. Initial BAL samples were obtained within 12 hours of intubation, and follow-up samples were collected at 72 hours post-intubation or on the fifth day of intubation, depending on whether the patient remained intubated. The follow-up BAL sample was collected on the day of diagnosis for patients who developed VAP. This study evaluates pulmonary microbiome dynamics, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1 beta, TNF alpha), and changes in various metabolic pathways. These data provide critical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying VAP pathogenesis and hold the potential to guide future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.