Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Bacterial colonization in respiratory secretions from acute and recurrent wheezing infants and children

Yoko Nagayama1, Toshikazu Tsubaki, Shigeru Nakayama

  • 1Department of Allergy, Chiba Children's Hospital, Chiba, Japan. y.ngym@mc.pref.chiba.lg.jp

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|March 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial colonization is common in young children with lower respiratory tract infections, regardless of wheezing. This study found boys with recurrent wheezing were more susceptible to bacterial colonization, suggesting a link to asthma development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Microbiology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Lower respiratory tract infections in children frequently cause airway obstruction and wheezing.
  • The role of bacterial colonization in pediatric wheezing remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the contribution of bacterial colonization to wheezing in hospitalized children.
  • To differentiate clinical entities based on wheezing history and bacterial colonization patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Categorized hospitalized children into recurrent wheezing, acute wheezing, and non-wheezing groups.
  • Analyzed respiratory secretions (sputum) for bacterial colonization using microscopy and culture.
  • Quantified bacterial species into dominant and non-dominant amounts.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial colonization was prevalent across all groups, particularly in younger children (1-2 years old).
  • No significant difference in overall bacterial colonization incidence was observed between wheezing and non-wheezing groups.
  • Boys with recurrent wheezing showed a higher frequency of non-dominant bacterial colonization compared to girls (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial colonization is a common finding in young children with respiratory symptoms, irrespective of wheezing.
  • Boys exhibit a greater susceptibility to wheezing and bacterial colonization, potentially influencing childhood asthma onset.
  • Assessing bacterial colonization may aid in characterizing asthma development and progression in children.

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