The Lung Microbiome and Endobronchial Valve Treatment

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema

Lung emphysema is often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and without any cure. Dyspnea is the main, debilitating symptom and is relieved by inhaled bronchodilators and rehabilitation. However, a substantial number of patients continue to suffer from dyspnea and among these, many patients have severely hyperinflated lungs due to predominant emphysema. For selected patients, lung transplantation or lung volume reduction by surgical removal (LVRS) of the most emphysematous parts of the lung can improve symptoms and survival. However, LVRS is related to complications and not all patients are suitable for surgery. An alternative to LVRS is bronchial lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves (EBV). One-way valves are inserted in the bronchial system using a bronchoscope and it has emerged as a valid treatment option with similar effects as LVRS with reduction of hyperinflation and increasing pulmonary function, quality of life, and exercise capacity. The normal lung is colonized with several types of bacteria, and together this is called the microbiome. Some bacteria are potentially beneficial, while others are potentially harmful. After the insertion EBV, some patients develop chronic infections. The hypothesis is that the microbiome can affect the risk of this chronic infection, and therefore the objective of this study is to access the microbiome during the insertion of the EBV, and afterwards observe which patients develop chronic infection and if these patients are harbouring specific types of bacteria.

The objective of this study is primarily to investigate the significance of the lung microbiome on the outcome and morbidity after EBV treatment. Second, to investigate the evolution of the lung microbiome in patients later requiring valve removal or clean-up. Before the insertion of the EBV, but during the procedure, the patient will undergo a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL fluid will undergo bacterial profiling through S16-ribosomal analysis and ordinary bacterial culturing. Number of infections and need for clean-up or valve removal will be registered during the following 24 months, where the patient follows the ordinary follow-up programme. As a secondary part of the study, during the potential clean-up or valve removal, the removed material will again undergo S16-ribosomal analysis and bacterial culturing to investigate shift in microbiome.

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