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Nasal microbiota dominated by Moraxella spp. is associated with respiratory health in the elderly population: a case
Ellen H A van den Munckhof1, Harriet C Hafkamp2, Josephine de Kluijver3
1DDL Diagnostic Laboratory, Visseringlaan 25, 2288, ER, Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ellen.van.den.munckhof@ddl.nl.
Background:
The elderly (≥65 years) are one of the populations most at risk for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The aim of this study was to determine whether nasal and/or oropharyngeal microbiota profiles are associated with age and RTIs.
Methods:
Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs of 152 controls and 152 patients with an RTI were included. The latter group consisted of 72 patients with an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and 80 with a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Both nasal and oropharyngeal swabs were subjected to microbiota profiling using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Moraxella species were determined using quantitative real-time PCR and culture.
Results:
Based on the microbiota profiles of the controls and the patients with an RTI, eight nasal and nine oropharyngeal microbiota clusters were defined. Nasal microbiota dominated by either Moraxella catarrhalis or Moraxella nonliquefaciens was significantly more prevalent in elderly compared to mid-aged adults in the control group (p = 0.002). Dominance by M. catarrhalis/nonliquefaciens was significantly less prevalent in elderly with an LRTI (p = 0.001) compared to controls with similar age.
Conclusions:
Nasal microbiota dominated by M. catarrhalis/nonliquefaciens is associated with respiratory health in the elderly population.
Insights
Nasal microbiota dominated by Moraxella species is linked to better respiratory health in older adults. This finding suggests a protective role for these bacteria against respiratory tract infections in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Elderly individuals (≥65 years) face a higher risk of respiratory tract infections (RTIs).
- Understanding the role of microbiota in RTIs among the elderly is crucial for public health.
- Nasal and oropharyngeal microbiota may influence susceptibility to respiratory illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between nasal and oropharyngeal microbiota profiles and age.
- To determine if microbiota profiles correlate with the presence of RTIs.
- To identify specific microbial signatures linked to respiratory health in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Microbiota profiling of nasal and oropharyngeal swabs from 152 controls and 152 RTI patients using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.
- Quantitative real-time PCR and culture were used to identify Moraxella species.
- Statistical analysis to compare microbiota profiles between age groups and disease states.
Main Results:
- Eight nasal and nine oropharyngeal microbiota clusters were identified.
- Nasal microbiota dominated by Moraxella catarrhalis or Moraxella nonliquefaciens was more common in elderly controls than mid-aged controls.
- This Moraxella dominance was less prevalent in elderly patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) compared to elderly controls.
Conclusions:
- Nasal microbiota characterized by Moraxella catarrhalis/nonliquefaciens dominance is associated with preserved respiratory health in the elderly.
- These findings suggest a potential protective effect of specific nasal microbiota against RTIs in older adults.
- Further research may explore therapeutic modulation of nasal microbiota for respiratory health.
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