Nasal microbiome ecological niche

The nasal microbiome ecological niche represents the diverse microbial community residing within the nasal passages, primarily composed of phyla such as Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria (Brugger et al., 2016, Microbiology Spectrum). This niche functions as a primary defense mechanism, where commensal bacteria like Corynebacterium and Dolosigranulum prevent the colonization of respiratory pathogens through nutrient competition and the secretion of bacteriocins (Bomar et al., 2016, mBio). Beyond pathogen exclusion, the nasal microbiota is essential for the maturation and regulation of the local mucosal immune system, influencing the host's susceptibility to respiratory allergies and infections (Perez-Losada et al., 2017, Frontiers in Microbiology). Disruptions in this ecological balance, often termed dysbiosis, are linked to the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and the exacerbation of asthma (Yan et al., 2013, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology). Current therapeutic strategies aim to modulate this niche using targeted antimicrobials, live biotherapeutic products (probiotics), or microbiota transplants to restore homeostatic microbial-host interactions (De Boeck et al., 2019, Frontiers in Microbiology).

Other names

Nasal microbiotaNasal cavity microbiomeUpper respiratory tract microbiome

Restoration of microbial homeostasis through competitive exclusion of pathogens, production of antimicrobial compounds (bacteriocins), and enhancement of the host mucosal immune barrier (Brugger et al., 2016, Microbiology Spectrum; De Boeck et al., 2019, Frontiers in Microbiology).