Runny nose lowers microbial diversity in the nose of babies

Colds reduce the beneficial nasal flora in babies
According to a new study, the variety of microbes in the nasal mucosa is reduced in cases of runny nose. Therefore, infections as early as the baby age could increase the risk of later chronic lung diseases such as asthma.

Runny nose reduces microbial flora of the nasal mucosa
According to a recent study, in babies who have a runny nose, the variety of microbial flora in the nasal mucosa is reduced. This could increase the risk of getting chronic respiratory disease later. These results were presented last weekend at the Annual Meeting of the European Society of Respiratory Medicine (ERS) in Amsterdam. A report from the ERS reported that earlier research had shown that the composition of natural microorganisms in the lung was different in persons with chronic lung diseases than in healthy people.

With each cold, the nasal flora of babies changes. (Image: Imcsike / fotolia.com)

Viral infection favors later illnesses
It is also known that viral infections in the baby age favor the later occurrence of chronic diseases such as asthma. As reported by the national news agency of Switzerland (SDA), the team led by Insa Korten from the university hospitals of Basel and Bern has now for the first time examined how microbial flora and viral diseases interact. For the relatively small study, 32 otherwise healthy children were studied who participated in the so-called "BILD Study" (Basel Bern Infant Lung Development). Each week, at the age of five weeks to one year, wipe samples were taken from the nasal mucosa and analyzed for microbial flora and twelve virus types. The researchers found that the microbial diversity was reduced if the children were infected with rhinoviruses and had symptoms of cold. However, when the viruses were in the nose without causing symptoms, the microbial diversity was not reduced.

Significant for the prevention and treatment of diseases
According to study authors, this suggests that the immune system's defenses against the viruses that manifest themselves in the symptoms also deplete the natural nasal flora. In children, who had frequent colds in the first year, the microbial flora was also smaller according to the scientists at the end of the study. Sniffling therefore has a long-term effect on the nasal flora. This could be important for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as asthma. For example, the use of "good" microbes could possibly have a preventative effect, as is the case with probiotics for the intestinal flora. However, it is still unclear whether and how a smaller variety of nasal flora could increase the risk of chronic diseases. The children in Switzerland will continue to be accompanied by the scientists until they reach the age of six, for example, to check whether those with frequent colds later also get more asthma. (Ad)