Bacterial Colonisation of the Nasal and Nasopharyngeal Cavities in Children: The Generation R Study
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Humans are surrounded by microorganisms: viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. We can \\ndivide these organisms into the following four categories: innocent, beneficial, harmful and \\ndangerous. Most of the times, microorganisms are not harmful and are therefore referred to \\nas non-pathogenic. Innocent microorganisms cause no harm nor do they provide benefits. \\nBenefi cial microorganisms even provide a significant advantage for humans by aiding digestion \\nor preventing pathogenic microorganisms to cause infection via colonisation resistance. \\nBy colonising the respiratory and/or gastro-intestinal tract, these organisms prevent pathogenic \\nmicroorganisms to settle and cause harm. Pathogens causing harm in certain cases, but \\nnot per definition, are grouped into the harmful category. However, microbes that fall into \\nthe dangerous category comprise organisms that cause morbidity and mortality in humans \\neven in those with an intact immune system.
Author: Ankie Lebon
Language: English
Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1633171592