Pathogenic bacteria colonizing the airways in asymptomatic neonates stimulates topical inflammatory mediator release.
BACKGROUND
Bacterial colonization of neonatal airways with the pathogenic bacterial species, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae, is associated with later development of childhood asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To study a possible association between colonization with pathogenic bacterial strains and the immune signature of the upper airways in healthy neonates.


METHODS
A total of 20 cytokines and chemokines were quantified in vivo in the airway mucosal lining fluid of 662 neonates from the Copenhagen Prospective Study of Asthma in Childhood 2010 birth cohort. Colonization of the hypopharynx with M. catarrhalis, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus was assessed simultaneously. The association between immune signatures and bacterial colonization or noncolonized controls was analyzed using conventional statistical methods supplemented by a multivariate approach for pattern identification.


RESULTS
Colonization with M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae induced a mixed T helper cell (Th) type 1/Th2/Th17 response with high levels of IL-1β (M. catarrhalis, P = 2.2 × 10(-12); H. influenzae, P = 7.1 × 10(-10)), TNF-α (M. catarrhalis, P = 1.5 × 10(-9); H. influenzae, P = 5.9 × 10(-7)), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (M. catarrhalis, P = 1.6 × 10(-11); H. influenzae, P = 2.7 × 10(-7)). S. aureus colonization demonstrated a Th17-promoting profile with elevated IL-17 levels (P = 1.6 × 10(-24)). S. pneumoniae colonization was not significantly associated with any of the mediators.


CONCLUSIONS
M. catarrhalis and H. influenzae colonization of the airways of asymptomatic neonates is associated with an inflammatory immune response of the airway mucosa, which may result in chronic inflammation.
Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Ledreborg Allé 34, Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nilofar V
NV
Følsgaard
Susanne
S
Schjørring
Bo L
BL
Chawes
Morten A
MA
Rasmussen
Karen A
KA
Krogfelt
Susanne
S
Brix
Hans
H
Bisgaard
D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018836:Inflammation Mediators