Influence of Nasopharyngeal Microbiota on Pediatric Asthma: Insight from Case–Control Study in Holy Karbala, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Asthma and the normal flora have a complicated interaction; research points to the potential importance of some commensal microbes in the development of asthma. Early life exposure to specific environmental microorganisms may be essential for the appropriate development of the immune system and the prevention of asthma. The host's immune system and microbiome interact to significantly impact the pathways that lead to the development of asthma. Methods: This is a case-control study. Nasopharngeal swabs and Sera were collected from Teaching children City in Holy Karbala, Iraq, during 2022-2023. Nasopharngeal swabs was culturing by culture media and diagnosed by VITEK2. Results: A case-control study involving 100 kids ages 1 to 5 was conducted. Of those, 50 kids had asthma, whereas the other 50 kids were in good health. All participants provided nasopharyngeal swabs, and the VITEK 2 system was used to identify the nasopharyngeal microbiome following primary organism isolation through standard cultures using various media, including blood agar, chocolate agar, macconkey agar, manitol salt agar. Subculture and gram stain are performed following each primary culture to differentiate gram positive (purple-colored) bacteria from gram negative (reddish-pink) microorganisms. Conclusion: A subset of children with sub recurrent wheezing who have asthma had a different micro biome composition than healthy controls. It was outside the purview of this study to determine if this difference is related to asthma development/severity/difficult and delayed treatment. the ultimate objective is to control and prevent asthma by regulating the micro biota.