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A new study has been set up by Ideshi and CML to broaden our understanding of respiratory infections by mapping the microbiome landscape and identifying microbial risk factors for ARI severity in Bangladesh. 

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) remain a leading cause of illness and death globally, imposing a significant health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite their high prevalence, our understanding of the upper respiratory tract microbiome, the community of microorganisms that colonize the airways, emergence of novel variants and its influence on disease susceptibility and severity remains limited.  

To address this critical gap, we have launched a collaborative study to comprehensively characterize the respiratory microbiome in ARI patients and healthy population (without any ARI sign and symptoms) using shotgun metagenomic approach. This research aims to characterize microbial profiles associated with disease risk and progression, which may ultimately inform public health strategies and improve ARI management. 

Main objectives of this collaborative study include to assess the diversity, composition, and abundance of respiratory pathogens and commensal microbes in patients with ARI compared to healthy individuals, to identify microbial signatures linked to disease severity and progression, and to investigate the emergence of novel and re-emerging respiratory pathogens in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for improved surveillance of respiratory infections and a deeper understanding of the microbiome's role in respiratory health. Traditional diagnostic approaches such as RT-PCR and culture methods, while effective for detecting specific pathogens, do not capture the broader microbial landscape that may shape disease outcomes. By applying shotgun metagenomic sequencing and targeted pathogen detection this study will generate high-resolution insights into pathogen diversity, seasonality, and potential novel variants. 

This study has the potential to broaden our understanding of respiratory infections by mapping the microbiome landscape and identifying microbial risk factors for ARI severity. The findings will inform future strategies for pandemic preparedness and respiratory health interventions in Bangladesh and beyond. By integrating microbiome surveillance into public health programs, we hope to improve the management of acute respiratory infections and build resilience against future respiratory disease threats. 

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