Influence of Nasal Staphylococcus aureus Carriage on Immune Response in Chronic Respiratory Allergies Related to House Dust Mite

Background: Allergic airway diseases cause a great burden worldwide. There are a lot of factors which may be important for the risk of development of these diseases. One of them is nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage which may modulate immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate influence of nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage on immune response in chronic respiratory allergies related to house dust mite (HDM). Methods. Patients with allergic airway diseases and clinically significant hypersensitivity to HDM and healthy individuals were involved into the study. TNSS, RQLQ, ACT and AQLQ were assessed. A microbiological swab sample was taken from both nostrils for confirmation of Staphylococcus aureus carriage. Nasal smears were obtained for evaluation of eosinophil count. Measurements of IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-22, IL-33 and IFN-γ in serum and nasal lavage fluid were performed by ELISA using commercial kits. Selected patients with allergic airway diseases underwent nasal challenge with Dermatophagoideus pteronyssinus. Results. A tendency that nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage was more frequent in patients with allergic airway diseases than in healthy individuals was observed. Levels of IL-13, IL-17, IL-33, and IFN-γ in nasal lavage fluid were higher in patients with allergic airway diseases with Staphylococcus aureus carriage than in patients without Staphylococcus aureus carriage. Nasal IL-13 level was independently associated with Staphylococcus aureus carriage (OR 3.18; 95% CI 1.12–8.99; p=0.03) in patients with allergic airway diseases. No significant differences in TNSS, ACT, RQLQ or AQLQ scores were observed between Staphylococcus aureus carriers and non-carriers. Nasal IL-13, IL-17 and IL-33 levels significantly decreased after nasal challenge in Staphylococcus aureus carriers’ group only. Conclusion. Staphylococcus aureus carriage in patients with allergic airway diseases was associated with a distinct local (especially, IL-13) but not systemic cytokine profile and had limited impact on symptoms severity and disease-related quality of life.