Related Experiment Videos
Multicolonization of human nasopharynx due to Neisseria spp
J A Sáez Nieto1, C Marcos, A Vindel
1Servicio de Bacteriología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. jasaez@isciii.es
Abstract:
The colonization due to Neisseria spp. in the nasopharynx of forty healthy adults was studied by using a selective medium that allows the differentiation of Neisseria species and inhibits the rest of pharyngeal microbiota. The medium detected a variety of colonial morphology types and some metabolic characteristics of the isolates. We demonstrated the multicolonization by several Neisseria spp. in the same individual, and we isolated several strains of the same species, after analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns obtained from the different colonial types previously identified as the same species. The forty adults studied were colonized by 112 forms of Neisseria spp., and twelve colonization patterns were obtained: one species (45%), two (45%), three (7.5%) and four (2.5%). N. perflava-N. sicca, either alone or in combination with other species was the most frequent isolate (92.5%). The analysis of PFGE patterns obtained from different colonial types revealed the multicolonization by several strains of the same species in some individuals. This fact was found in N. perflava-N. sicca (50%) and N. mucosa (2.5%).
Insights
Healthy adults frequently harbor multiple Neisseria species in their nasopharynx. Studies show Neisseria perflava-N. sicca is the most common colonizer, with some individuals hosting multiple strains of the same species.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Microbiome Research
- Bacteriology
Background:
- The nasopharynx is a common site for bacterial colonization.
- Neisseria species are part of the normal human oropharyngeal flora.
- Understanding Neisseria colonization patterns is crucial for respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and diversity of Neisseria species colonization in healthy adults.
- To identify patterns of single and multiple Neisseria species colonization.
- To differentiate between colonization by different Neisseria species and multiple strains of the same species.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a selective culture medium to isolate and differentiate Neisseria species from pharyngeal microbiota.
- Employed pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to analyze genetic relatedness of isolated Neisseria strains.
- Quantified the number of Neisseria species and colonization patterns in 40 healthy adults.
Main Results:
- A total of 112 Neisseria forms were identified across 40 adults, with 92.5% of individuals colonized by Neisseria perflava-N. sicca.
- The majority of adults (45%) exhibited colonization by one or two Neisseria species, while some had three or four.
- PFGE analysis confirmed multi-strain colonization by the same Neisseria species in 50% of N. perflava-N. sicca and 2.5% of N. mucosa cases.
Conclusions:
- Healthy adults commonly exhibit multi-species and multi-strain Neisseria colonization in the nasopharynx.
- Neisseria perflava-N. sicca is a dominant species in nasopharyngeal colonization.
- The study highlights the complexity of Neisseria colonization, involving diverse species and strains within individuals.