Microbiome and Its Association with Diseases of the Ear, Nose and Pharynx

Introduction: The microbiome refers to the entire community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, their genes, and the environment that surrounds them. The microbiome is found in the gut, skin, and the oral and nasal cavities, and is an important interface between the human body and the environment outside. Notably, the ear, nose, and throat or pharynx microbiome remains poorly studied. Therefore, the present review discusses the association of the microbiome with various diseases of the ear, nose, and pharynx. Methods: The literature was obtained by conducting a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, followed by screening the abstracts for relevance. The selected articles were then retrieved for deeper exploration. Results: This review highlights the disturbance of the balance of the microbiome, which is referred to as dysbiosis, that may be the cause of various diseases in the body. Discussion: We also discuss various microorganisms found in the ear, nose, and pharynx and their link with related diseases and brain health. Conclusion: The microbiome is important for the better health of the human body as it modulates the immune system. Accordingly, a better understanding of its interaction with the host may lead to advances in drug design.