Risk factors for carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the past decades Streptococcus pneumoniae has developed significant resistance to many classes of antimicrobial drugs. Potential risk factors for colonization of the nasopharynx by Streptococcus pneumoniae in children and for carriage of drug resistant strains were examined.MethodsBetween 2007 and 2008 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 402 children 6 months to 5 years old visiting the public sector immunization centers and outpatient departments as well as offices of paediatricians from private practice in Nicosia district in Cyprus. Information on demographic characteristics and potential risk factors of participating children were collected using a standardized questionnaire distributed to parents.ResultsIn multivariable analyses we found that attendance at day care center, having siblings in the family and having both parents originating from Cyprus, statistically increased the risk of pneumococcal colonization. Full immunization with PCV7 appears to be a protective factor against colonization by pneumococcus. Previous administration of antimicrobials during the last month prior to specimen collection appeared to be the most consistent risk factor for carrying a non susceptible strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae to either penicillin or erythromycin. Factors such as age, nationality, previous or current breastfeeding, passive exposure to cigarette smoke and attendance in a day care center do not appear as independent risk factors for colonization by non susceptible strains.ConclusionsPrudent use of antibiotics especially for upper respiratory tract infections in children as well as increased vaccination coverage by the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines could prove effective in reducing levels of colonization by drug resistant pneumococcal strains.

Pneumococcal colonization prevalence and density among Thai children with severe pneumonia and community controls

“…Therefore, we are confident that differences in colonization prevalence between Thailand and other PERCH study sites likely represent real differences rather than differences attributable to variations in participant selection, specimen collection, or testing procedures. Such differences in colonization could be due to different exposure factors, such as population density, crowded living conditions, regular interaction with many different people, or exposure to other young children such as siblings or via day care [35,36]. These factors differ by cultural practices and urban vs. rural settings, both between and within countries.…”

Impact of PCV7 vaccination on nasopharyngeal carriage and antimicrobial resistance among children in Turkey

“…The colonization of intermediately penicillin-resistant VT and NVT serotypes continued to increase [25,26]. The increase in penicillin resistance most probably was related to inappropriate antibiotic use during childhood [27]. In our study, prior to PCV7 vaccination, 1.9% of the infants had used antibiotics; on the other hand, after vaccination, 40% of them had used antibiotics.…”

Laboratory based Retrospective Study to determine the start of SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness in Egypt at El-Demerdash tertiary hospitals

“…Streptococcal pneumoniae a known pathogen to cause meningitis, along with pharyngitis, appears to be common in children. Although vaccination and proper antibiotic regimens appear to be effective, the emergence of resistant strains are affecting the overall course of the infection (25). Increasing the number of siblings in the household is an important risk factor, also increase in the density of bacterial load in the nasopharyns, where both seems to be affected by the hygiene of the patient and the socioeconomic class (26).…”