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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
The bacterial species associated with aspirated foreign bodies in children
Maayan Gruber1, Graeme van Der Meer2, Benjamin Ling2
1Paediatric Otolaryngology Unit, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Israel.
Insights
Children with inhaled foreign bodies often develop secondary airway infections. Bacterial analysis revealed common pathogens like Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Moraxella catarrhalis, suggesting targeted antibiotic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Inhaled foreign bodies are a frequent pediatric emergency.
- Secondary airway infections can complicate foreign body aspiration.
- Foreign bodies may serve as a nidus for microbial colonization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify bacterial species associated with aspirated foreign bodies in children.
- To understand the microbial landscape of airway infections secondary to foreign body aspiration.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 34 pediatric patients undergoing rigid laryngobronchoscopy for foreign body aspiration.
- Tracheobronchial secretion samples were collected during the procedure for microbiological analysis.
Main Results:
- Organic foreign bodies were more common (71%).
- 82.3% of samples showed oropharyngeal flora; 44% had other organisms, including Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
- Fungal growth (Candida albicans, Aspergillus glaucus) occurred in 12%.
- 47% of non-oropharyngeal organisms exhibited antibiotic resistance (amoxicillin, penicillin, cotrimoxazole).
Conclusions:
- Secondary airway infections are a significant complication of pediatric foreign body aspiration.
- Empirical antibiotic therapy should target common pathogens: oropharyngeal flora, Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
- Antibiotic resistance patterns necessitate careful selection of treatment regimens.
Objective:
Inhaled foreign bodies in children are common and may be complicated by secondary airway tract infection. The inhaled foreign body may act as carrier of infectious material and the aim of this study was to explore the bacterial species associated with aspirated foreign bodies in a cohort of children.
Methods:
Retrospective case series of 34 patients who underwent rigid laryngobronchoscopy because of foreign body aspiration. Each patient had a sample taken from tracheobronchial secretions during the procedure.
Results:
The average patient age was 31.2 months and the average hospital stay was 2.5 days. Of the foreign bodies 24 (71%) were organic in nature and 10 (29%) were non-organic. Twenty eight (82.3%) patients had mixed oropharyngeal flora organisms growth. Fifteen (44%) samples were positive for organisms other than oropharyngeal flora with the most common cultured organisms being: Streptococcus pneumonia (4/12%), Haemophilus influenza (4/12%), Moraxella catarrhalis (4/12%). Four samples (12%) grew a fungus; Candida albicans was cultured in 3 patients and Aspergillus glaucus was identified in one sample. Of the non-oropharyngeal organisms 7(47%) demonstrated antibiotic resistance with four having resistance to amoxycillin, two resistant to penicillin and one resistant to cotrimoxazole.
Conclusion:
Some children who present with aspirated foreign body may be complicated with secondary airway infection. Antibacterial treatment might be considered in some of these cases. The regimen of antibiotics should aim to cover oropharyngeal flora, S. pneumonia, H. influenza and Moraxella catarrhalis.
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