Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
05:31
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Nasopharyngeal Microbiome Differences Between Children with Hypertrophic Adenoids and Healthy Controls
Ulrich Moser1, Thomas Hirsch1, Beate Obermüller2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Biology
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Children with enlarged adenoids have a different nasopharyngeal microbiome. This study found distinct bacterial communities in the nose, suggesting the microbiome may contribute to adenoid hypertrophy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Adenoids are crucial for immune development in children.
- Pathological adenoid hypertrophy causes significant illness.
- The nasopharyngeal microbiome's role in adenoid hypertrophy is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the nasopharyngeal microbiome in children with and without symptomatic hypertrophic adenoids.
- To investigate microbial community structure and specific taxa associated with adenoid hypertrophy.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 26 children with hypertrophic adenoids and 30 healthy controls.
- 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing for microbial profiling.
- Analysis of alpha and beta diversity, core microbiome, and differential abundance.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in alpha diversity between groups (Fisher's alpha p = 0.048).
- A common core microbiome dominated by Moraxella, Haemophilus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, and Dolosigranulum.
- Distinct bacterial taxa identified: Fusobacterium in the study group; Dolosigranulum, Corynebacterium, Finegoldia, Micrococcus in controls; Campylobacter, Paludibacteraceae, Fusobacterium, Escherichia-Shigella, Cutibacterium, Nocardia in the study group.
Conclusions:
- Children with symptomatic hypertrophic adenoids have a distinct nasopharyngeal microbiome.
- Altered microbial community structure and specific bacterial shifts are associated with adenoid hypertrophy.
- Findings suggest a potential role for the microbiome in the pathogenesis of adenoid hypertrophy.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:27The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
01:23Chronic Pharyngitis
Chronic pharyngitis refers to persistent inflammation of the pharyngial mucosa.
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,...
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,...