Anatomy

Pathology

Microbiome

Disease

Respiratory tract

Bioinformatics

Evolutionary biology

Biology

Function (biology)

Immunology

Respiratory tract infections

Respiratory system

Medicine

Immune system

Human microbiome

BMC Biology

The human upper respiratory tract (URT) offers a variety of niches for microbial colonization. Local microbial communities are shaped by the different characteristics of the specific location within the URT, but also by the interaction with both external and intrinsic factors, such as ageing, diseases, immune responses, olfactory function, and lifestyle habits such as smoking. We summarize here the current knowledge about the URT microbiome in health and disease, discuss methodological issues, and consider the potential of the nasal microbiome to be used for medical diagnostics and as a target for therapy.

The microbiome of the upper respiratory tract in health and disease