Changes in Respiratory and Gut Microbiota in Asthma and Depression Associate with Disease Markers
Asthma is heterogeneous and frequently accompanied by depression, affecting disease mechanisms and management. Both asthma and depression have been associated with inflammation and microbiota alterations, but their combined impact on microbial compositions remains unclear. Our study analyzed lung and gut microbiota in patients with asthma and depression to identify associations between microbiota composition and disease markers. This cross-sectional study included 20 healthy controls, 20 patients with asthma, and 20 patients with asthma and comorbid depression. Participants underwent clinical characterization and assessment of asthma control, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Induced sputum and faecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis, and inflammatory cytokines were measured in serum and sputum. Microbial profiling was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.