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STUDIES ON THE COMMON COLD : III. THE UPPER RESPIRATORY FLORA OF INFANTS
1Department of Medicine of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, and the Presbyterian Hospital, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
The infant
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
Background:
- The upper respiratory tract (URT) is initially sterile at birth.
- Early life microbial colonization establishes the infant's basal flora.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the development of the upper respiratory tract microbiome in infants.
- To investigate potential microbial causes of infant colds.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal observation of infant microbial colonization.
- Clinical assessment of respiratory infections.
Main Results:
- Infant URT flora resembles adult flora by 8 months, initially lacking potential pathogens.
- Potential pathogens may colonize asymptomatically.
- No specific bacterial cause identified for first infant colds.
- Recurrent colds may involve secondary infections with *Streptococcus pneumoniae* (pneumococci) or *Haemophilus influenzae* (B. pfeifferi).
Conclusions:
- Infant respiratory microbiome development follows a predictable pattern.
- Secondary infections may contribute to recurrent infant respiratory illnesses.
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