Abstract
We studied the role of ante- and post-natal infection in the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity.
192 newborn infants (61 term and 131 pre-term of <34 weeks gestation: 88 with respiratory distress syndrome, 35 developed CLD and eight died) were recruited. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes were identified by PCR of DNA isolated from 840 gastric and lung fluid samples. Ureaplasma spp. were also cultured.
Presence of 16S rRNA genes (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.2) and Ureaplasma spp. (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.7–7.7) was significantly associated with the development of CLD. This association remained if the 16S rRNA genes and Ureaplasma spp. were first identified within the first 3 days of life (OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.4–4.1) and 3.8 (95% CI 1.4–10.0), respectively) or if first identified after 3 days of age (OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.1–2.8) and OR 5.1 (95% CI 1.3–19.8), respectively). Peak lung fluid interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were significantly associated with presence of microbes (p<0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively) and development of CLD (p = 0.003 and 0.001, respectively).
Both early and late microbial presence in neonatal lung fluid samples was significantly associated with the development of CLD suggesting that both ante- and post-natal infection play a role in the development of CLD.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- chronic lung disease of prematurity
- infection
- inflammation
- 16S ribosomal RNA genes
- Ureaplasma spp.
Footnotes
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Support Statement
N.C. Maxwell was supported by the Wellcome Trust (London, UK) and P.L. Davies was supported in part by Arriva Pharmaceuticals (Alameda, CA, USA).
Statement of Interest
A statement of interest for P.L. Davies can be found at www.erj.ersjournals.com/site/misc/statements.xhtml
- Received March 9, 2010.
- Accepted September 7, 2010.
- ©ERS 2011