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Published on: August 7, 2017
Fungal microbiota in newborn infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome
Vicente Friaza1,2, Pilar Rojas3, Carmen de la Horra2
1Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain.
Background:
Pneumocytis jirovecii infection in preterm newborns has recently been associated with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Changes in the bacterial microbiota of the airways have also been described in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, until now there has been no information on the airway mycobiota in newborns. The purpose of this study was to describe the airway mycobiota in term and preterm newborns and its possible association with respiratory distress syndrome.
Methods:
Twenty-six matched preterm newborns with and without respiratory distress syndrome were studied, as well as 13 term babies. The identification of the fungal microbiota was carried out using molecular procedures in aspirated nasal samples at birth.
Results:
The ascomycota phylum was identified in 89.7% of newborns, while the basidiomycota phylum was found in 33.3%. Cladosporium was the predominant genus in both term and preterm infants 38.4% vs. 73% without statistical differences. Candida sake and Pneumocystis jirovecii were only found in preterm infants, suggesting a potential relationship with the risk of prematurity.
Conclusions:
This is the first report to describe the fungal microbiota of the airways in term and preterm infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome. Although no differences have been observed, the number of cases analyzed could be small to obtain conclusive results, and more studies are needed to understand the role of the fungal microbiota of the airways in neonatal respiratory pathology.
Insights
This study describes the airway fungal microbiota in term and preterm newborns. While no significant differences were found, certain fungi like Pneumocystis jirovecii were unique to preterm infants, suggesting a link to prematurity.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pneumocystis jirovecii infection is linked to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.
- Airway bacterial microbiota changes are noted in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- No prior data existed on the airway mycobiota in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the airway fungal microbiota in both term and preterm newborns.
- To investigate the potential association between airway mycobiota and respiratory distress syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Molecular identification techniques were used on nasal aspirate samples collected at birth.
- Study included 26 matched preterm infants (with and without respiratory distress syndrome) and 13 term infants.
Main Results:
- Ascomycota was present in 89.7% and Basidiomycota in 33.3% of newborns.
- Cladosporium was the most common genus in both groups (38.4% term vs. 73% preterm).
- Candida sake and Pneumocystis jirovecii were exclusively found in preterm infants, indicating a potential prematurity risk association.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to report on the airway fungal microbiota in term and preterm infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome.
- No significant differences in fungal microbiota were observed between groups.
- Larger studies are required to confirm findings and elucidate the role of airway mycobiota in neonatal respiratory conditions.
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