Fungal–bacterial interactions in the respiratory tract: from microbial interplay to clinical implications
- 1Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- 2Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- 3National Institute of Science and Technology in Human Pathogenic Fungi, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract
The respiratory tract harbors complex, dynamic microbial communities during infection, including bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus), fungi (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans), and the resident respiratory microbiota. Within this ecosystem, microbes engage in cooperative and competitive interactions shaped by nutrient availability, immune modulation, and interkingdom chemical signaling, collectively influencing microbial persistence and pathogenic potential. While traditional studies have largely focused on single-pathogen infections, emerging evidence highlights the role of polymicrobial interactions—both synergistic and antagonistic—between pathogens and the respiratory microbiota in shaping disease progression in respiratory disorders. This minireview summarizes recent advances in understanding these complex microbial interactions and highlights key knowledge gaps and future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
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BibTeX
@article{pauls2026fungalbacterial,
title = {{Fungal–bacterial interactions in the respiratory tract: from microbial interplay to clinical implications}},
author = {Lindsay G. Pauls and Matheus Mertz Ribeiro and Gustavo H. Goldman and Stephen K. Dolan},
journal = {mBio},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1128/mbio.02330-25},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.02330-25},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fungal–bacterial interactions in the respiratory tract: from microbial interplay to clinical implications
AU - Lindsay G. Pauls
AU - Matheus Mertz Ribeiro
AU - Gustavo H. Goldman
AU - Stephen K. Dolan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/15
JO - mBio
DO - 10.1128/mbio.02330-25
UR - https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.02330-25
AB - The respiratory tract harbors complex, dynamic microbial communities during infection, including bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus), fungi (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans), and the resident respiratory microbiota. Within this ecosystem, microbes engage in cooperative and competitive interactions shaped by nutrient availability, immune modulation, and interkingdom chemical signaling, collectively influencing microbial persistence and pathogenic potential. While traditional studies have largely focused on single-pathogen infections, emerging evidence highlights the role of polymicrobial interactions—both synergistic and antagonistic—between pathogens and the respiratory microbiota in shaping disease progression in respiratory disorders. This minireview summarizes recent advances in understanding these complex microbial interactions and highlights key knowledge gaps and future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
SN - 2150-7511
ER -