Nasopharyngeal vs. adenoid cultures in children undergoing adenoidectomy: prevalence of bacterial pathogens, their interactions and risk factors

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the adenoids and nasopharynx in 103 preschool children who underwent adenoidectomy for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections was examined. Bacterial interactions and risk factors for bacterial colonization of the nasopharynx and adenoids, separately, were analysed statistically. The prevalence of simultaneous isolation from both anatomical sites was 45·6% for S. pneumoniae, 29·1% for H. influenzae, 15·5% for M. catarrhalis and 18·4% for S. aureus. Three pathogens were significantly more frequent together from adenoid samples; nasopharyngeal swabs more often yielded a single organism, but without statistical significance. M. catarrhalis and S. aureus significantly more frequently co-existed with S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae than with each other and a positive association of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in adenoid samples was evident. Several differences between risk factors for nasopharyngeal and adenoid colonization by the individual pathogens were observed. We conclude that the adenoids and nasopharynx appear to differ substantially in colonization by pathogenic microbes but occurrence of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in the nasopharynx could be predictive of upper respiratory tract infections.

The microbiome of otitis media with effusion

“…In addition, Alloiococcus , along with the Haemophilus species, were the only two bacterial genera shown to be the dominant bacteria (>90% relative abundance) within the MEF, with an inverse correlation observed between the two. Although this is the first study to report possible bacterial interference between AO and Haemophilus , numerous studies have shown H. influenzae to have bacterial interference with Staphylococcus aureus and S. pneumoniae within the respiratory tract …”

“…Although this is the first study to report possible bacterial interference between AO and Haemophilus, numerous studies have shown H. influenzae to have bacterial interference with Staphylococcus aureus and S. pneumoniae within the respiratory tract. [18][19][20] Interestingly, the microbiota of bilateral effusions within patients were similar, despite a significant difference with that of the adenoid tissue of the same patient. This suggests that the microenvironment of the middle ear itself may play a greater role in influencing the constitution of the microbial communities within them, rather than bacteria from the nasopharynx.…”

Nasopharyngeal and Adenoid Colonization by Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae in Children Undergoing Adenoidectomy and the Ability of Bacterial Isolates to Biofilm Production

“…Although haemophili, especially H. influenzae and H. parainfluenzae , are most commonly associated with asymptomatic upper respiratory tract colonization they may also be involved in several diseases. 43 – 48 According to the data presented by Korona-Głowniak et al, 36 Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus, apart from H . influenzae, were frequently isolated in nasopharyngeal and adenoid samples from children who underwent adenoidectomy for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections.…”

“… 2 , 54 In addition, the microbial colonization may be influenced by several factors, such as the age and clinical condition of children, individual sensitivity of mucous membranes, the degree of exposure to the bacteria, contacts with other children, the socioeconomic conditions, behavior and habits of parents, passive smoking, number of siblings, and the race. 36 , 47 , 55…”

“…After the surgery, the adenoids were placed in a sterile container. Then the samples were transferred during 2 hours to the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and prepared according to Korona-Głowniak et al 36 One surface of the adenoid was cauterized with a heated scalpel and an incision was made through that cauterized area with a sterile scalpel, cutting the adenoid in half. The core was swabbed with sterile alginate-tipped applicator and inoculated on agar medium.…”