The role of the human microbiome in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery: a contemporary review.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The human microbiome represents the collective genomes and gene products of microbes living within and on humans. The objective of this review is to provide a summary of the current microbiome literature pertaining to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. DATA SOURCE Ovid MEDLINE. METHODS Scientific publications with clinical correlates. RESULTS Human microbiome studies have been facilitated by culture-independent, high-throughput sequencing methods. Data from the Human Microbiome Project has shown that the composition of the human microbiome is specific to each body site and that each individual has a unique microbiome. Alterations in the human microbiome are associated with some disease states; thus, novel therapeutic strategies are being developed based on concepts and findings stemming from microbiome research. CONCLUSIONS Although a growing body of research shows potential significance of the human microbiome for human health and disease, there is a paucity of microbiome studies in otolaryngology. More studies are required to increase our understanding of the indigenous microbiota and their effects on diseases of the head and neck.