Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
05:31
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
STUDIES ON THE COMMON COLD : V. THE RELATIONSHIP OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA TO UPPER RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN 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
Respiratory infections in infants are common, with pathogenic organism carriers increasing during winter outbreaks. Colds appear to precede more severe infections, particularly in infants aged 8-14 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Bacteriology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Respiratory diseases pose a significant health challenge in infant populations.
- Understanding the dynamics of pathogenic organism transmission is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document bacteriological and clinical observations of respiratory disease in a semi-isolated infant population over two years.
- To investigate the relationship between common colds, pathogenic organism carrier rates, and severe respiratory infections.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal observation of a semi-isolated infant population over a 2-year period.
- Monitoring of carrier rates for pathogenic organisms during respiratory illness outbreaks.
- Clinical assessment of infection severity and age-related susceptibility.
Main Results:
- Two severe winter outbreaks showed a parallel increase in pathogenic organism carrier rates.
- Autumn common cold outbreaks appeared to facilitate the spread of pathogenic organisms.
- A reciprocal relationship was observed between common colds and more severe infections.
- Infants aged 8-14 months experienced the most severe infections.
- Positive skin reactions to pathogenic organism products increased during winter months.
Conclusions:
- Common colds may act as a precursor to more severe respiratory infections in infants.
- Infants aged 8-14 months represent a vulnerable group requiring targeted preventive strategies.
- Seasonal variations influence the prevalence of pathogenic organisms and host immune responses.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:31Common Respiratory Disorders
Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Description
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...