Ruiz-Tagle, CinthyaUgalde, Juan A.Naves, RodrigoAraos, RafaelGarcía, PatriciaBalcells, María Elvira2023-08-082023-08-082023-12Scientific Reports, Volume 13, Issue 1, December 2023, Article number 730120452322https://repositorio.unab.cl/xmlui/handle/ria/52319Indexación: Scopus.The upper respiratory tract is an obliged pathway for respiratory pathogens and a healthy microbiota may support the host's mucosal immunity preventing infection. We analyzed the nasopharyngeal microbiome in tuberculosis household contacts (HHCs) and its association with latent tuberculosis infection (TBI). A prospective cohort of HHCs was established and latent TBI status was assessed by serial interferon-γ release assay (IGRA). Nasopharyngeal swabs collected at baseline were processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The 82 participants included in the analysis were classified as: (a) non-TBI [IGRA negative at baseline and follow-up, no active TB (n = 31)], (b) pre-TBI [IGRA negative at baseline but converted to IGRA positive or developed active TB at follow-up (n = 16)], and (c) TBI [IGRA positive at enrollment (n = 35)]. Predominant phyla were Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. TBI group had a lower alpha diversity compared to non-TBI (padj = 0.04) and pre-TBI (padj = 0.04). Only TBI and non-TBI had beta diversity differences (padj = 0.035). Core microbiomes’ had unique genera, and genus showed differential abundance among groups. HHCs with established latent TBI showed reduced nasopharyngeal microbial diversity with distinctive taxonomical composition. Whether a pre-existing microbiome feature favors, are a consequence, or protects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis needs further investigation. © 2023, The Author(s).enHumansInterferon-gamma Release TestsLatent TuberculosisMicrobiotaMycobacterium tuberculosisProspective StudiesRNA, Ribosomal, 16STuberculosisArtículoAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)10.1038/s41598-023-34052-8