Oropharyngeal Microbiota in Frail Older Patients Unaffected by Time in Hospital.

ABSTRACT: Respiratory tract infections are the commonest nosocomial infections, and occur predominantly in frailer, older patients with multiple comorbidities. The oropharyngeal microbiota is the major reservoir of infection. This study explored the relative contributions of time in hospital and patient demographics to the community structure of the oropharyngeal microbiota in older patients with lower limb fracture. We collected 167 throat swabs from 53 patients (mean age 83) over 14 days after hospitalization, and analyzed these using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We calculated frailty/comorbidity indices, undertook dental examinations and collected data on respiratory tract infections. We analyzed microbial community composition using correspondence (CA) and canonical correspondence analysis. Ten pat

SUBMITTER: Ewan VC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5826060 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature