Project title

Unravelling pneumococcal interactions in the nasopharyngeal niche

Scientific Coordinator's name:

Raquel Sá Leão

Scientific Coordinator's e-mail:

rsaleao@itqb.unl.pt

Principal R&D Unit:

Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica (ITQB)

Other R&D Units involved in the project:

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Project keyword(s)

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Short abstract and comments

The nasopharynx of humans is a rich ecological niche frequently inhabited by potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (or pneumococcus), Staphlylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Colonization, which is asymptomatic, is particularly frequent among young children. Although the burden of disease caused by these bacteria is substantial worldwide, disease per se is incidental in their lifestyle. Intra- and interspecies bacterial interactions as well as host-bacteria interactions occur in the nasopharynx influencing which species and strains persist in the environment. Interventions (such as vaccines and antibiotics) aimed to contain disease, but that also impact on colonization, may disrupt the ecological equilibrium of bacteria and perturb the nasopharyngeal microbiome. In this project we are studying bacterial interactions occurring in the nasopharyngeal niche and how antibiotics and vaccines affect them.

Potential uses/indications

The project will contribute to improve our understanding on how human interventions aiming to prevent or treat disease affect the human microbiome. Such information may be useful when designing strategies to improve health.