Pathogenic bacteria colonizing the airways in asymptomatic neonates stimulates topical inflammatory mediator release

Nilofar V. Følsgaard, Susanne Schjorring, Bo L. Chawes, Morten Arendt Rasmussen, Karen A. Krogfelt, Susanne Brix Pedersen, Hans Bisgaard

89 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rationale: 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. Objectives: 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. Measurements and Main 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),andmacrophageinflammatoryprotein- 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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Volume187
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)589-595
Number of pages7
ISSN1073-449X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2013

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