Host and environmental factors shape upper airway microbiota and respiratory health across the human lifespan

Mari Lee Odendaal, Wouter A.A. de Steenhuijsen Piters, Eelco Franz, Mei Ling J.N. Chu, James A. Groot, Elske M. van Logchem, Raiza Hasrat, Sjoerd Kuiling, Roan Pijnacker, Rob Mariman, Krzysztof Trzciński, Fiona R.M. van der Klis, Elisabeth A.M. Sanders, Lidwien A.M. Smit, Debby Bogaert*, Thijs Bosch*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4571-4585.e15
JournalCell
Volume187
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • 16S-rRNA sequencing
  • environment
  • exposure
  • health outcomes
  • host
  • human lifespan
  • microbiome
  • microbiota
  • population-wide
  • upper respiratory tract

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