Microbial landscape of intestinal contents and mucus in frequently ill children

Abstract

Aim. To study the state of the microbial landscape of intestinal contents and mucus in frequently ill children and practically healthy children.Methods. 340 frequently ill children aged 6 months to 6 years and 125 practically healthy children (comparison group) were examined. Along with routine clinical and immunological studies bacteriological study of stool samples and throat swab was performed and polymerase chain reaction was applied to the swab.Results. According to the results of bacteriological study of throat swab 195 (57.4%) children reported Staphylococcus aureus, 102 (30.0%) children - Staphylococcus epidermidis, 85 (25.0%) children - Streptococcus pneumoniae, 64 (18.8%) children - Haemophilus influenzae, 64 (18.8%) children - Klebsiella pneumoniae, 170 (50.0%) children - Candida albicans. PCR revealed Chlamydia pneumoniae in 53 (15.6%) children, Chlamydia trachomatis in 33 (9.7%) children, Mycoplasma pneumonia in 54 (15.9%) children, and Cytomegalovirus in 18 (5.3%) patients. Among frequently ill children in 67.6% of cases dysbiosis was observed with reduced number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and increase of opportunistic microorganisms, predominantly Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusion. The microbiota of upper respiratory tract in frequently ill children in most cases contains Staphylococcus aureus; reduced number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and increase of opportunistic microorganisms were noted; correlation between severity of dysbiosis and immunoglobulin A level in blood was revealed.