Upper Respiratory Microbiota in Relation to Ear and Nose Health Among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children

Background: We explored the nasal microbiota in Indigenous Australian children in relation to ear and nasal health.

Methods: In total, 103 Indigenous Australian children aged 2–7 years (mean 4.7 years) were recruited from 2 Queensland communities. Children’s ears, nose, and throats were examined and upper respiratory tract (URT) swabs collected. Clinical histories were obtained from parents/medical records. URT microbiota were characterized using culturomics with Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification. Real-time PCR was used to quantify otopathogen (Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis) loads and detect respiratory viruses. Data were analyzed using beta diversity measures, regression modeling, and a correlation network analysis.

Results: Children with historical/current otitis media (OM) or URT infection (URTI) had higher nasal otopathogen detection and loads and rhinovirus detection compared with healthy children (all P < .04). Children with purulent rhinorrhea had higher nasal otopathogen detection and loads and rhinovirus detection (P < .04) compared with healthy children. High otopathogen loads were correlated in children with historical/current OM or URTI, whereas Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum and Dolosigranulum pigrum were correlated in healthy children.

Conclusions: Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum and D. pigrum are associated with URT and ear health. The importance of the main otopathogens in URT disease/OM was confirmed, and their role relates to co-colonization and high otopathogens loads.