The association of increased pre- and postnatal NO2 and PM2.5 exposure with the infant nasal microbiome composition and respiratory symptoms
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Little is known about the mediating role of nasal microbiome on the association between pre- and postnatal air pollution exposure and subsequent respiratory morbidity in infancy. We aimed to examine the impact of air pollution on microbiome and respiratory symptoms, and whether microbiome mediates the association between air pollution and symptoms. Methods Nasal swabs from 270 infants in the prospective Basel-Bern Infant Lung Development cohort were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We investigated the association of pre- and postnatal nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ) with microbiome at 4–6 weeks and with respiratory symptoms during the first year of life. Hierarchical clustering and generalized structural equation modeling were used. Results Mean prenatal air pollution levels were 21.54 μg/m 3 (NO 2 ) and 13.84 μg/m 3 (PM 2.5 ) (WHO guideline limits: NO 2 : 40 μg/m 3 (2005), 10 μg/m 3 (2021); PM 2.5 : 10 μg/m 3 (2005), 5 μg/m 3 (2021)). We identified two distinct microbiome clusters, characterized by high Corynebacterium / Dolosigranulum and high Staphylococcus abundance. Higher pre- and postnatal air pollution exposure was associated with Staphylococcus cluster (e.g., per 10 μg/m 3 increase of prenatal NO 2 : odds ratio 1.58, 95% confidence interval 1.08; 2.29, p adj = 0.034). Pre- and postnatal PM 2.5 was associated with increased risk of severe respiratory symptoms. This association was not mediated by nasal microbiome. Conclusion Pre- and postnatal air pollution was associated with microbiome and respiratory symptoms in infancy. The microbiome did not mediate the association of air pollution with respiratory symptoms, which may indicate that other mechanisms are more relevant at this age.
Source: Environmental Research
Authors: Noëmi Künstle, Olga Gorlanova, Céline Rüttimann, Nadja Mostacci, Martin Röösli, Kees de Hoogh, Benjamin Flückiger, Carla Rebeca Da Silva Sena, Ruth Steinberg, Insa Korten, Sophie Yammine, Sven Schulzke, Philipp Latzin, Markus Hilty, Urs Frey, Fiona Beck, Xenia Bovermann, Carmen Casaulta, Marion Curdy, Carla Rebeca Da Silva Sena, Kees de Hoogh, Bettina Frauchiger, Urs Frey, Olga Gorlanova, Léa Kim-Mi Ho Dac, Elisabeth Kieninger, Insa Korten, Noëmi Künstle, Philipp Latzin, Andrea Marten, Loretta Müller, Uri Nahum, Marc-Alexander Oestreich, Martin Röösli, Céline Rüttimann, Sven Schulzke, Pablo Sinues, Ruth Steinberg, Benjamin Stoecklin, Carmen Streibel, Jakob Usemann, Florian Wyler, Sophie Yammine
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,590
OpenAlex ID: W4405756849