Neonates colonized with pathogenic bacteria in the airways have a low-grade systemic inflammation

N. Rahman Fink, B. L. Chawes, J. Thorsen, J. Stokholm, Karen Angeliki Krogfelt, S. Schjørring, M. Kragh, K. Bønnelykke, S. Brix, H. Bisgaard*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background and objectives: The development of childhood asthma is associated with neonatal colonization with pathogenic bacteria in hypopharynx. Furthermore, established asthma is associated with systemic low-grade inflammation. We here report on the association between neonatal colonization with pathogenic bacteria in hypopharynx and the development of systemic low-grade inflammation. Methods: Bacterial colonization of the hypopharynx with Moraxella catharralis, Haemophilus influenzae, and/or Streptococcus pneumoniae was assessed in asymptomatic children from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood2000 (COPSAC2000) cohort at age 1 month by culturing technique (N = 238) and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technique (N = 249) and in the COPSAC2010 cohort by culturing at age 1 month (N = 622) and again at age 3 months (N = 613). Systemic low-grade inflammation was determined in both cohorts at age 6 months by measuring plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (lL-6). Results: In both cohorts, bacterial colonization was associated with increased levels of hs-CRP: COPSAC2000, 1 month culturing (geometric mean ratio of colonized/noncolonized [95% CI]), 1.39 [0.97-2.01], P =.08; 1 month qPCR, 1.55 [1.14-2.10], P <.01; COPSAC2010, 1 month, 1.52 [1.23-1.87], P <.01; and 3 month, 1.57 [1.30-1.90], P <.01. A multiparametric principal component analysis incorporating hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 confirmed a systemic inflammatory profile in children colonized with M. catharralis, H. influenzae. and/or S. pneumoniae in the hypopharynx compared to noncolonized children (P-values <.05). Conclusion: The composition of the upper airway microbiome in early life may cause systemic low-grade inflammation.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume73
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)2150-2159
Number of pages10
ISSN0105-4538
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • asthma
  • clinical immunology
  • environment and hygiene hypothesis
  • innate immunity
  • pediatrics

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