Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
09:03

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published on: November 7, 2020

Complexity, temporal stability, and clinical correlates of airway bacterial community composition in primary ciliary

Geraint B Rogers1, Mary P Carroll, Nur Masirah M Zain

  • 1Immunity, Infection, and Inflammation Program, Mater Medical Research Institute, South Brisbane, Australia.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals the bacterial communities in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) airways, finding bacterial load increases with age. Pseudomonas aeruginosa abundance also correlates with age and poorer lung function in PCD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Microbiology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) causes impaired airway clearance and chronic infections.
  • The specific bacteria and their impact on PCD presentation are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first culture-independent analysis of lower airway bacteria in PCD patients.
  • To characterize bacterial loads and community composition in relation to disease factors.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 33 airway samples (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage) from 24 PCD patients (ages 4-73).
  • Utilized 16S rRNA quantitative PCR and pyrosequencing for bacterial analysis.
  • Analyzed approximately 7,000 16S rRNA sequences per sample.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial loads ranged from 1.3 × 10(4) to 5.2 × 10(9) CFU/ml, positively correlating with age.
  • Identified 128 bacterial genera, with Pseudomonas, Haemophilus, and Streptococcus being dominant.
  • Found positive correlation between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and age, and negative correlation with lung function.

Conclusions:

  • This detailed microbiological profile offers insights into PCD airway infections.
  • Findings suggest a basis for re-evaluating the clinical management of PCD.
  • Bacterial communities in PCD airways show temporal stability.

More Related Videos

High-speed Video Microscopy Analysis for First-line Diagnosis of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia05:32

High-speed Video Microscopy Analysis for First-line Diagnosis of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Published on: January 19, 2022

Collection, Expansion, and Differentiation of Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Models for Quantification of Cilia Beat Frequency11:13

Collection, Expansion, and Differentiation of Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Models for Quantification of Cilia Beat Frequency

Published on: November 10, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota 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...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term condition marked by persistent and only partially reversible airflow limitation. It involves two overlapping conditions—chronic bronchitis and emphysema—which often co-appear but differ in dominant symptoms and underlying mechanisms.Chronic Bronchitis FeaturesChronic bronchitis presents with a persistent productive cough and thick, sometimes purulent mucus due to airway inflammation, enlarged mucus glands, and goblet cell...