Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Different Associations between Tonsil Microbiome, Chronic Tonsillitis, and Intermittent Hypoxemia among Obstructive
Hai-Hua Chuang1,2,3,4, Jen-Fu Hsu2,5, Li-Pang Chuang2,6
1Department of Family Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei Branch and Linkou Main Branch, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
Insights
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients who are overweight show more severe hypoxemia. However, the tonsil microbiome is linked to clinical factors like chronic tonsillitis and oxygen levels, not weight status itself.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Obesity Research
Background:
- The tonsil microbiome is implicated in pediatric chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Gut microbiome composition correlates with host weight status.
- The relationship between weight status, clinical profiles, and the tonsil microbiome in pediatric OSA remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between weight status and clinical profiles in pediatric OSA patients.
- To explore differences in the tonsil microbiome between healthy-weight and non-healthy-weight pediatric OSA patients.
- To examine the relationship between the tonsil microbiome and clinical variables in pediatric OSA.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of 66 pediatric OSA patients (33 non-healthy-weight, 33 healthy-weight), matched for chronic tonsillitis proportion.
- Analysis of tonsil microbiome differences between weight subgroups.
- Investigation of correlations between tonsil microbiome and clinical parameters including oxygen desaturation index (ODI), mean blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), minimal SpO2, and blood pressure percentile.
Main Results:
- Non-healthy weight in pediatric OSA was associated with increased intermittent hypoxemia and higher systolic blood pressure percentile, but not directly with the tonsil microbiome composition.
- Chronic tonsillitis showed a relationship with Acidobacteria in non-healthy-weight subgroup; ODI correlated with Bacteroidetes in the healthy-weight subgroup.
- Children with mean SpO2 ≤ 97% exhibited reduced alpha and beta diversity and higher Bacteroidetes abundance compared to those with mean SpO2 > 97%.
Conclusions:
- Weight status in pediatric OSA is linked to clinical severity, particularly hypoxemia, but not directly to the tonsil microbiome.
- Specific clinical factors like chronic tonsillitis and ODI are associated with distinct bacterial taxa in the tonsil microbiome, varying by weight status.
- Reduced tonsil microbiome diversity and altered Bacteroidetes abundance are observed in pediatric OSA patients with lower mean SpO2, suggesting a link to respiratory compromise.
Abstract:
The tonsil microbiome is associated with chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, and the gut microbiome is associated with host weight status. In this study, we hypothesized that weight status may be associated with clinical profiles and the tonsil microbiome in children with OSA. We prospectively enrolled 33 non-healthy-weight (cases) and 33 healthy-weight (controls) pediatric OSA patients matched by the proportion of chronic tonsillitis. Differences in the tonsil microbiome between the non-healthy-weight and healthy-weight subgroups and relationships between the tonsil microbiome and clinical variables were investigated. Non-healthy weight was associated with significant intermittent hypoxemia (oxygen desaturation index, mean blood saturation (SpO2), and minimal SpO2) and higher systolic blood pressure percentile, but was not related to the tonsil microbiome. However, chronic tonsillitis was related to Acidobacteria in the non-healthy-weight subgroup, and oxygen desaturation index was associated with Bacteroidetes in the healthy-weight subgroup. In post hoc analysis, the children with mean SpO2 ≤ 97% had reduced α and β diversities and a higher abundance of Bacteroidetes than those with mean SpO2 > 97%. These preliminary findings are novel and provide insights into future research to understand the pathogenesis of the disease and develop personalized treatments for pediatric OSA.
More Related Videos
07:38Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue
Published on: June 14, 2020
05:31Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:30Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
01:21Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
01:23Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
01:26Tonsillitis II: Management
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...