Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026
09:12
Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Published on: January 17, 2014
13.2K
Exploring the bacterial assemblages along the human nasal passage.
Melissa L Wos-Oxley1, Diego Chaves-Moreno1, Ruy Jáuregui1
1Microbial Interactions and Processes Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.
Environmental Microbiology
|May 22, 2016
Summary
The human nasal passage harbors distinct bacterial communities. Despite individual variations, core bacteria were consistent across regions and health statuses, suggesting bacteria may not cause chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Anatomy
- Immunology
Background:
- The human nasal passage is a complex ecosystem hosting diverse bacteria.
- Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent inflammatory condition of the nasal passages.
- The role of bacterial communities in CRS pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize bacterial communities across different anatomical regions of the human nasal passage.
- To compare bacterial profiles between individuals with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
- To investigate the relationship between bacterial composition and CRS phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of four anatomical regions in the nasal passage from 79 individuals (CRS and CRS-free).
- Analysis of bacterial communities from both swab and tissue biopsy samples.
- Comparison of global bacterial profiles, species abundance, and diversity indices.
Main Results:
- Distinct bacterial fingerprints were observed within individuals, consistent across nasal regions.
- Core bacterial members were identified across all sampled regions, irrespective of health status.
- Significant differences in bacterial communities were not found between CRS and CRS-free individuals or between CRS phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial communities in the human nasal passage exhibit individual-specific yet regionally consistent patterns.
- The study found no significant bacterial differences linked to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) or its phenotypes.
- The direct role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of sinusitis remains uncertain.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
1
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...
1
01:24Nose and Nasal Cavity
14.9K
The nose is composed of an observable exterior segment (external nose) and an internal segment within the skull known as the nasal cavity (internal nose). The external nose, visible on the face, consists of a framework of bone and hyaline cartilage enveloped in skin and muscle and lined with a mucous membrane. This structure is supported by the frontal bone, nasal bones, and maxillary bone and is supplemented by a cartilaginous framework comprising the septal nasal cartilage, lateral nasal...
14.9K
01:29Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
6.3K
The upper respiratory tract plays a vital role in the respiratory system, comprising several structures that facilitate air intake and prepare air for the lungs. It also serves as the first line of defense against pathogens and particles. This tract includes the nose and nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the pharynx, each with specific functions and features.
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....
6.3K
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
27
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
27
01:27The Oral Microbiota
7
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
7
01:30Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
821
Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
821