Yang L, Dunlap DG, Qin S, et al. - Among participants from the MACS (Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study), researchers undertook this inquiry to assess changes in the oral and gut microbiome related to pulmonary disease in persons with HIV (PWH). The participants included 75 PWH and 93 HIV-uninfected men. Participants were asked to undergo pulmonary function testing. Sequencing of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA in saliva and stool was carried out. They noted differences in oral microbiome composition by HIV and smoking status. They reported changes of oral microbial communities in PWH with abnormal lung function with increments in the relative abundance of Veillonella, Streptococcus, and Lactobacillus. Findings revealed that changes of oral microbiota in PWH were associated with impaired pulmonary function and systemic inflammation. The likely role of oral microbiome as a biomarker of lung function in HIV was suggested based on the findings. Furthermore, oral microbiome disruption may add to COPD pathogenesis.