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Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples
Published on: January 21, 2018
Changes in microbiota during experimental human Rhinovirus infection
J J Hofstra1,2, S Matamoros3, M A van de Pol4,5
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.j.hofstra@amc.uva.nl.
Human Rhinovirus (HRV) infection alters the upper respiratory tract microbiota, increasing bacteria like Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Staphylococcus aureus. These changes may explain HRV
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human Rhinovirus (HRV) causes most common colds.
- HRV infections often lead to secondary bacterial infections.
- Mechanisms linking HRV and secondary bacterial infections are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate HRV serotype 16's impact on the upper respiratory tract microbiota.
- Determine how HRV infection alters bacterial communities in the throat.
Main Methods:
- Experimental HRV16 infection in six healthy volunteers.
- 16S ribosomal RNA-targeted pyrosequencing of throat swabs.
- Analysis of microbiota diversity, phylogenetic structure, and bacterial relative abundances pre-, during, and post-infection.
Main Results:
- Trends of increased Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Neisseria subflava during acute HRV16 infection.
- Weaker trend for increased Staphylococcus aureus.
- Significant inter-individual variability in microbiota composition; minimal long-term changes observed.
Conclusions:
- HRV16 infection is linked to an increase in specific bacterial genera.
- These bacterial shifts may predispose individuals to secondary infections like otitis media, sinusitis, and pneumonia.
- Understanding microbiota changes offers insights into HRV-associated secondary infections.
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