Determination of nasal and oropharyngeal microbiomes in a multicenter population-based study - findings from Pretest 1 of the German National Cohort

TY - JOUR

T1 - Determination of nasal and oropharyngeal microbiomes in a multicenter population-based study - findings from Pretest 1 of the German National Cohort

AU - Akmatov, Manas K

AU - Koch, Nadine

AU - Vital, Marius

AU - Ahrens, Wolfgang

AU - Flesch-Janys, Dieter

AU - Fricke, Julia

AU - Gatzemeier, Anja

AU - Greiser, Halina

AU - Günther, Kathrin

AU - Illig, Thomas

AU - Kaaks, Rudolf

AU - Krone, Bastian

AU - Kühn, Andrea

AU - Linseisen, Jakob

AU - Meisinger, Christine

AU - Michels, Karin

AU - Moebus, Susanne

AU - Nieters, Alexandra

AU - Obi, Nadia

AU - Schultze, Anja

AU - Six-Merker, Julia

AU - Pieper, Dietmar H

AU - Pessler, Frank

PY - 2017/5/12

Y1 - 2017/5/12

N2 - We examined acceptability, preference and feasibility of collecting nasal and oropharyngeal swabs, followed by microbiome analysis, in a population-based study with 524 participants. Anterior nasal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected by certified personnel. In addition, participants self-collected nasal swabs at home four weeks later. Four swab types were compared regarding (1) participants' satisfaction and acceptance and (2) detection of microbial community structures based on deep sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene V1-V2 variable regions. All swabbing methods were highly accepted. Microbial community structure analysis revealed 846 phylotypes, 46 of which were unique to oropharynx and 164 unique to nares. The calcium alginate tipped swab was found unsuitable for microbiome determinations. Among the remaining three swab types, there were no differences in oropharyngeal microbiomes detected and only marginal differences in nasal microbiomes. Microbial community structures did not differ between staff-collected and self-collected nasal swabs. These results suggest (1) that nasal and oropharyngeal swabbing are highly feasible methods for human population-based studies that include the characterization of microbial community structures in these important ecological niches, and (2) that self-collection of nasal swabs at home can be used to reduce cost and resources needed, particularly when serial measurements are to be taken.

AB - We examined acceptability, preference and feasibility of collecting nasal and oropharyngeal swabs, followed by microbiome analysis, in a population-based study with 524 participants. Anterior nasal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected by certified personnel. In addition, participants self-collected nasal swabs at home four weeks later. Four swab types were compared regarding (1) participants' satisfaction and acceptance and (2) detection of microbial community structures based on deep sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene V1-V2 variable regions. All swabbing methods were highly accepted. Microbial community structure analysis revealed 846 phylotypes, 46 of which were unique to oropharynx and 164 unique to nares. The calcium alginate tipped swab was found unsuitable for microbiome determinations. Among the remaining three swab types, there were no differences in oropharyngeal microbiomes detected and only marginal differences in nasal microbiomes. Microbial community structures did not differ between staff-collected and self-collected nasal swabs. These results suggest (1) that nasal and oropharyngeal swabbing are highly feasible methods for human population-based studies that include the characterization of microbial community structures in these important ecological niches, and (2) that self-collection of nasal swabs at home can be used to reduce cost and resources needed, particularly when serial measurements are to be taken.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-017-01212-6

DO - 10.1038/s41598-017-01212-6

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 28500287

VL - 7

SP - 1855

JO - SCI REP-UK

JF - SCI REP-UK

SN - 2045-2322

IS - 1

ER -