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Nasopharyngeal microbiota in infants with acute otitis media

Markus Hilty1, Weihong Qi, Silvio D Brugger

  • 1Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland. markus.hilty@ifik.unibe.ch

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|February 22, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The nasopharyngeal microbiota of infants changes significantly during acute otitis media (AOM). Antimicrobial use and PCV7 vaccination reduce beneficial commensal bacteria, impacting AOM development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Nasopharyngeal microbiota plays a role in acute otitis media (AOM) pathogenesis.
  • Detailed characterization of the microbiota in healthy and AOM-affected infants is crucial for understanding interspecies interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the nasopharyngeal microbiota composition in infants with and without AOM.
  • To investigate the influence of factors like antimicrobial exposure and PCV7 vaccination on the infant nasopharyngeal microbiota.

Main Methods:

  • Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 163 infants (153 with AOM, 10 controls) over four winter seasons.
  • 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterize the bacterial communities.
  • Data were analyzed to identify bacterial families and assess associations with clinical factors.

Main Results:

  • Fifty-eight bacterial families were identified; Moraxellaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Pasteurellaceae were most common.
  • Commensal families were less prevalent in infants with AOM.
  • Antimicrobial exposure and PCV7 vaccination were linked to reduced commensal bacteria (Streptococcaceae, Corynebacteriaceae) and increased Enterobacteriaceae; antimicrobial exposure also increased Pasteurellaceae abundance.

Conclusions:

  • Infant nasopharyngeal microbiota composition is altered during AOM and following antimicrobial/PCV7 exposure.
  • Reduced prevalence of commensal bacterial families is a key change observed.
  • These findings highlight the impact of medical interventions on the nasopharyngeal microbiome in infants.

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