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The bacterial interactions in the nasopharynx of children receiving adenoidectomy

Hao-Xiang Chen1, Chih-Ho Lai2, Hui-Ying Hsu1

  • 1School of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, 404 Taichung, Taiwan.

Biomedicine
|February 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Common childhood nasopharyngeal pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae interact. Bacterial interference was observed between S. aureus and the other two, while S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae showed an association.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Nasopharyngeal Microbiome

Background:

  • Nasopharyngeal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae is common in children.
  • Polymicrobial interactions are crucial in human health, yet poorly understood in the pediatric nasopharynx.
  • Limited research exists on the interplay between these three specific pathogens in children's nasopharyngeal colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interactions among Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae in the pediatric nasopharynx.
  • To analyze the prevalence and age-specific distribution of these three common bacterial pathogens in adenoid tissue.
  • To identify patterns of bacterial interference and association between these pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of adenoid tissue cultures from 269 children undergoing adenoidectomy.
  • Quantification and identification of S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae.
  • Age-stratified analysis of pathogen prevalence.
  • Assessment of co-occurrence and exclusion patterns to infer interactions.

Main Results:

  • S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae were the predominant microorganisms isolated (23.4%, 21.6%, 18.2% respectively).
  • S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae were most prevalent in preschoolers (3-6 years), while S. aureus predominated in infants/toddlers (≤3 years) and older children (>6 years).
  • Bacterial interference was detected between S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, and between S. aureus and H. influenzae. An association was found between S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals distinct prevalence patterns of S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae across different pediatric age groups.
  • Evidence of bacterial interference and association among these key nasopharyngeal pathogens was identified.
  • Further investigation into the mechanisms of synergism and antagonism is warranted to understand their role in pediatric respiratory health.

Keywords:
Adenoid;Bacterial interactions;Haemophilus influenzae;Staphylococcus aureus;Streptococcuspneumoniae

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