Nasopharyngeal microbiome in premature infants and stability during rhinovirus infection

Abstract

RationaleThe nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiota of newborns and infants plays a key role in modulating airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms during viral infections. Premature (PM) birth modifies the early NP environment and is a major risk factor for severe viral respiratory infections. However, it is currently unknown if the NP microbiota of PM infants is altered relative to full-term (FT) individuals.ObjectivesTo characterize the NP microbiota differences in preterm and FT infants during rhinovirus (RV) infection.MethodsWe determined the NP microbiota of infants 6 months to ≤2 years of age born FT (n=6) or severely PM<32 weeks gestation (n=7). We compared microbiota composition in healthy NP samples and performed a longitudinal analysis during naturally occurring RV infections to contrast the microbiota dynamics in PM versus FT infants.ResultsWe observed significant differences in the NP bacterial community of PM versus FT. NP from PM infants had higher within-group dissimilarity (heterogeneity) relative to FT infants. Bacterial composition of NP samples from PM infants showed increasedProteobacteriaand decreased inFirmicutes. There were also differences in the major taxonomic groups identified, includingStreptococcus,Moraxella, andHaemophilus. Longitudinal data showed that these prematurity-related microbiota features persisted during RV infection.ConclusionsPM is associated with NP microbiota changes beyond the neonatal stage. PM infants have an NP microbiota with high heterogeneity relative to FT infants. These prematurity-related microbiota features persisted during RV infection, suggesting that the NP microbiota of PM may play an important role in modulating airway inflammatory and immune responses in this vulnerable group.