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Dynamics of the nasal microbiota in infancy: a prospective cohort study

Moana Mika1, Ines Mack2, Insa Korten3

  • 1Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|February 1, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The infant upper respiratory tract microbiota changes significantly in the first year of life, with distinct early profiles and personalized, dynamic bacterial composition influenced by age and season.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Understanding the upper respiratory tract microbiota in healthy infants is crucial for studying respiratory diseases.
  • Early life is a critical period for immune system development and microbial colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the dynamics of the upper respiratory tract microbiota in healthy infants during their first year of life.

Main Methods:

  • 16S rDNA pyrosequencing was used to analyze 872 nasal swabs from 47 infants.
  • Samples were collected biweekly to capture dynamic changes.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial density increased while diversity decreased within the first year.
  • Distinct microbial profiles were observed in the first three months, with increased Staphlyococcaceae and Corynebacteriaceae.
  • Microbiota composition varied seasonally and demonstrated personalized, dynamic changes over time.

Conclusions:

  • Age and seasonality are key drivers of nasal microbiota composition in infants.
  • The infant nasal microbiota is personalized yet dynamic, providing essential baseline data for future research and interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
Nasal microbiotaagebacterial familiescohort studyseasontoddlers

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