Composition and dynamics of the adult nasal microbiome

Cindy M. Liu, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. cindyliu@gwu.edu.
Lise Tornvig Erikstrup, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Sofie M. Edslev, Department of Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Staten Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Daniel E. Park, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Juan E. Salazar, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Maliha Aziz, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Amalie Katrine Rendboe, Department of Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Staten Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Tony Pham, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Khoa Manh Dinh, Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Kelsey Roach, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Abigail Onos, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Edward Sung, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Nathan O. Weber, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Paal Skytt Andersen, Department of Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Staten Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Henrik Ullum, Management Section, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Robert Skov, Department of Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Staten Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bruce A. Hungate, Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA.
Marc Stegger, Department of Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Staten Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christian Erikstrup, Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Lance B. Price, Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-13-2026

Journal

Microbiome

Volume

14

Issue

1

DOI

10.1186/s40168-025-02250-3

Keywords

Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum; Dolosigranulum pigrum; Nasal microbiome; Nasal microbiome dynamics; Respiratory opportunistic pathogen; Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The nasal microbiome, a dynamic assemblage of commensals and opportunistic pathogens, is crucial to human health. RESULTS: Using cross-sectional data from 1,608 adults and longitudinal sampling of 149 individuals over 8-22 months, we identified nine nasal community state types (CSTs), defined by bacterial density and indicator taxa, with varying stability and transition patterns. Core taxa such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes were highly stable, while opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Moraxella catarrhalis had shorter residence times. Interactions between Dolosigranulum pigrum and Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum/propinquum were linked to reduced S. aureus colonization. Host factors, including age and biological sex, significantly shaped microbiome dynamics: men exhibited higher bacterial densities and pathogen colonization, while women showed more stable commensal-dominated CSTs. Aging was associated with shifts in CST frequencies, with declining S. aureus and increasing Enterobacterales. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal potential strategies by modulating nasal microbiome dynamics to reduce pathogen colonization and improve health. Video Abstract.

Department

Environmental and Occupational Health

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