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Published on: December 10, 2013
The virome composition of respiratory tract changes in school-aged children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
Dianqi Zhang1, Yang Cao2, Biao Dai3
1Department of Radiology, the Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Wuxi, China.
Background:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common pathogen for respiratory infections in children. Previous studies have reported respiratory tract microbial disturbances associated with MP infection (MPI); however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory virome data in school-aged children with MPI remains insufficient. This study aims to explore the changes in the respiratory virome caused by MPI after the COVID-19 pandemic to enrich local epidemiological data.
Methods:
Clinical samples from 70 children with MPI (70 throat swab samples and 70 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples) and 78 healthy controls (78 throat swab samples) were analyzed using viral metagenomics. Virus reads were calculated and normalized using MEGAN.6, followed by statistical analysis.
Results:
Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) showed that viral community diversity is a significant difference between disease cohorts and healthy controls. After MPI, the number of virus species in the upper respiratory tract (URT) increased obviously, and the abundance of families Poxviridae, Retroviridae, and Iridoviridae, which infect vertebrates, rose evidently, particularly the species BeAn 58,085 virus (BAV). Meanwhile, phage alterations in the disease cohorts were predominantly characterized by increased Myoviridae and Ackermannviridae families and decreased Siphoviridae and Salasmaviridae families (p < 0.01). In addition, some new viruses, such as rhinovirus, respirovirus, dependoparvovirus, and a novel gemykibvirus, were also detected in the BALF of the disease cohort.
Conclusions:
This cross-sectional research highlighted the respiratory virome characteristics of school-aged children with MPI after the COVID-19 outbreak and provided important epidemiological information. Further investigation into the impact of various microorganisms on diseases will aid in developing clinical treatment strategies.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children alter the respiratory virome, increasing viral diversity and specific virus families post-COVID-19. This study provides key epidemiological data on these changes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common cause of pediatric respiratory infections.
- Previous research noted microbial disturbances with MP infection (MPI), but post-COVID-19 respiratory virome data in children is limited.
- This study addresses the gap in understanding MP-associated respiratory virome changes after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in the respiratory virome of school-aged children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (MPI) following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To contribute local epidemiological data on post-pandemic respiratory viral communities in children with MPI.
- To identify specific viral changes associated with MPI in the pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of clinical samples (throat swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) from children with MPI and healthy controls.
- Utilized viral metagenomics for comprehensive viral detection and characterization.
- Employed statistical analysis and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) to compare viral communities.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in viral community diversity were observed between children with MPI and healthy controls.
- MPI led to an increased number of upper respiratory tract virus species and elevated abundance of vertebrate-infecting viral families (Poxviridae, Retroviridae, Iridoviridae), notably BeAn 58,085 virus (BAV).
- Phage communities showed increased Myoviridae and Ackermannviridae, and decreased Siphoviridae and Salasmaviridae. New viruses like rhinovirus and respirovirus were detected.
Conclusions:
- This study characterizes the respiratory virome in school-aged children with MPI post-COVID-19, offering crucial epidemiological insights.
- The findings highlight significant shifts in viral communities associated with MPI.
- Further research on microorganism impacts is recommended for developing effective clinical treatment strategies.
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