Oropharyngeal microbiome in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and after adenotonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: The microbiome of tonsils and adenoid in adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) has been profiled. Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is widely used for ATH in children. The variation of the oropharyngeal microecology in children with ATH or after AT have never been studied. OBJECTIVES: Here we aimed to evaluate the change in oropharyngeal microbiome in ATH Children after AT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, throat swabs for microbiome analysis were collected from ATH, AT and control groups. Using 16s rDNA sequencing, this study investigated the characteristics of oropharyngeal microbiome. RESULTS: The α-diversity showed a statistical difference in richness and the ß-diversity was significantly different among the three groups. The relative abundance of Haemophilus (member of Proteobacteria) increased but that of Actinomyces (member of Actinobacteriota) decreased in the ATH group compared to those in the AT and control groups, but their abundances showed no statistical difference between the AT and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The oropharyngeal microbial diversity and composition are disrupted in children with ATH and can be restored after AT. This microbiome analysis provides a new understanding about the pathogenesis of ATH in children.SummaryIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the change in oropharyngeal microbiome in ATH Children after AT. The oropharyngeal microbial diversity and composition are disrupted in children with ATH and can be restored after AT.