Host and environmental factors shape upper airway microbiota and respiratory health across the human lifespan.
Odendaal, Mari-Lee; de Steenhuijsen Piters, Wouter A A; Franz, Eelco; Chu, Mei Ling J N; Groot, James A; van Logchem, Elske M; Hasrat, Raiza; Kuiling, Sjoerd; Pijnacker, Roan; Mariman, Rob; Trzciński, Krzysztof; van der Klis, Fiona R M; Sanders, Elisabeth A M; Smit, Lidwien A M; Bogaert, Debby; Bosch, Thijs
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Article
Language
en
Date
2024-08-01
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Host and environmental factors shape upper airway microbiota and respiratory health across the human lifespan.
Translated Title
Published in
Cell 2024; 187(17):4571-4585.e15
Abstract
Our understanding of the normal variation in the upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota across the human lifespan and how these relate to host, environment, and health is limited. We studied the microbiota of 3,104 saliva (<10 year-olds)/oropharynx (≥10 year-olds) and 2,485 nasopharynx samples of 3,160 Dutch individuals 0-87 years of age, participating in a cross-sectional population-wide study (PIENTER-3) using 16S-rRNA sequencing. The microbiota composition was strongly related to age, especially in the nasopharynx, with maturation occurring throughout childhood and adolescence. Clear niche- and age-specific associations were found between the microbiota composition and host/environmental factors and health outcomes. Among others, social interaction, sex, and season were associated with the nasopharyngeal microbial community. By contrast, the oral microbiota was more related to antibiotics, tobacco, and alcohol use. We present an atlas of the URT microbiota across the lifespan in association with environment and health, establishing a baseline for future research.