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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
07:42
Deferred Growth Inhibition Assay to Quantify the Effect of Bacteria-derived Antimicrobials on Competition
Published on: September 3, 2016
The human nasal microbiota and Staphylococcus aureus carriage
Daniel N Frank1, Leah M Feazel, Mary T Bessesen
1Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America.
Plos One
|May 26, 2010
Summary
Nasal microbiota composition influences Staphylococcus aureus colonization. Healthy individuals have diverse nasal bacteria, while S. aureus carriers show altered microbial communities, suggesting competition. This finding may help limit S. aureus infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Microbiome
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus colonization is a precursor to infections.
- Nasal microbiota composition may impact S. aureus colonization.
- Approximately 50% of healthy adults are carriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine nasal microbiota composition and dynamics.
- Correlate specific microorganisms with S. aureus colonization.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal nasal specimen collection from healthy adults and hospitalized patients.
- Culture-independent 16S rRNA sequencing for microbiota analysis.
Main Results:
- Healthy nasal microbiota: enriched in Actinobacteria (Propionibacterium, Corynebacterium).
- Inpatient microbiota: enriched in S. aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis, diminished Actinobacteria.
- S. aureus colonization negatively correlated with S. epidermidis abundance.
Conclusions:
- Nasal microbiota is temporally stable and distinct.
- Microbial competition, e.g., between S. aureus and S. epidermidis, occurs in the nares.
- Findings could inform strategies to limit S. aureus colonization.
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