Role of the Airway Microbiome in Respiratory Infections and Asthma in Children

The respiratory tract can be colonized with bacterial, fungal, and viral microorganisms, and the whole of the microbiota, their genes, and the surrounding environment is collectively termed the microbiome. Increasing evidence indicates that the respiratory microbiome has an important role in respiratory health and disease and is both impacted by and potentially contributes to the severity of symptomatic respiratory viral infections and asthma in children. A deeper understanding of the complex interactions between bacteria, viruses, and the host will provide further comprehension into the drivers and mechanisms of respiratory health and disease and will impart opportunities for clinical therapies.