Nasopharyngeal carriage of respiratory pathogens in Warao Amerindians: significant relationship with stunting.

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Nasopharyngeal carriage of respiratory pathogens in Warao Amerindians: significant relationship with stunting.

Trop Med Int Health. 2017 Jan 10;:

Authors: Verhagen LM, Hermsen M, Rivera-Olivero IA, Sisco MC, de Jonge MI, Hermans PW, de Waard JH

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for nasopharyngeal carriage of pathogens in geographically isolated Warao Amerindians in Venezuela.
METHODS: In this point prevalence survey, nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 1064 Warao Amerindians: 504 children aged 0 - 4 years, 227 children aged 5 - 10 years, and 333 caregivers. Written questionnaires were completed to obtain information on demographics and environmental risk factors. Anthropometric measurements were performed in children aged 0 - 4 years.
RESULTS: Carriage rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis were 51%, 7%, 1%, and 13% respectively. Crowding index, method of cooking, and tobacco exposure were not associated with increased carriage. In multivariable analysis, an increase in height-for-age Z score (i.e. improved chronic nutritional status) was associated with decreased odds of S. pneumoniae colonization (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70 - 0.83).
CONCLUSIONS: Better knowledge of demographic and environmental risk factors facilitates better understanding of the dynamics of colonization with respiratory pathogens in an Amerindian population. Poor chronic nutritional status was associated with increased pathogen carriage in children <5 years of age. The high rates of stunting generally observed in indigenous children may fuel the acquisition of respiratory pathogens that can lead to respiratory and invasive disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 28072501 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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