Experimental Human Challenge Defines Distinct Pneumococcal Kinetic Profiles and Mucosal Responses between Colonized and Non-Colonized Adults
Elissavet Nikolaou, Simon P. Jochems, Elena Mitsi, Sherin Pojar, Annie Blizard, Jesús Reiné, Carla Solórzano, Edessa Negera, Beatriz F. Carniel, Alessandra Soares‐Schanoski, Victoria Connor, Hugh Adler, Seher Zaidi, Caz Hales, Helen Hill, Angie Hyder-Wright, Stephen B. Gordon, Jamie Rylance, Daniela M. Ferreira
Abstract
models due to the current invasive sampling methodology of the upper respiratory tract, both of which poorly reflect the complexity of host-pathogen interactions in the human nose. Self-collecting saliva and nasal lining fluid at home is a fast, low-cost, noninvasive, high-frequency sampling platform for continuous monitoring of bacterial encounter at defined time points relative to exposure. Our study demonstrates for the first time that, in humans, there are distinct profiles of pneumococcal colonization kinetics, distinguished by speed of appearance in saliva, local phagocytic function, and acute mucosal inflammatory responses, which may either recruit or activate neutrophils. These data are important for the design and testing of novel vaccine candidates.