Bacterial microbiota of the nasal passages across the span of human life

The human nasal passages host major human pathogens. Recent research suggests that the microbial communities inhabiting the epithelial surfaces of the nasal passages are a key factor in maintaining a healthy microenvironment by affecting both resistance to pathogens and immunological responses. The nasal bacterial microbiota shows distinct changes over the span of human life and disruption by environmental factors might be associated with both short- and long-term health consequences, such as susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections and disturbances of the immunological balance. Because infants and older adults experience a high burden of morbidity and mortality from respiratory tract infections, we review recent data on the bacterial nasal microbiota composition in health and acute respiratory infection in these age groups.