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Marked differences in pneumococcal carriage and resistance patterns between day care centers located within a small
N Givon-Lavi1, R Dagan, D Fraser
1Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, and Epidemiology Department, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.
Summary
Day care centers act as unique environments influencing Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) carriage. These centers play a role in spreading antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae within communities.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage is common in young children.
- Understanding carriage dynamics is crucial for controlling pneumococcal disease.
- Antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae is a growing public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage rates and characteristics in young children attending day care centers.
- To determine if day care centers represent distinct microenvironments for pneumococcal transmission.
- To analyze antibiotic resistance, capsular types, and genetic patterns of carried S. pneumoniae.
Main Methods:
- Nasopharyngeal cultures were collected from 264 children aged 12-35 months across 8 day care centers.
- Cultures were obtained at 2-month intervals.
- Carriage rates, antibiotic resistance, capsular types, and genetic patterns were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in S. pneumoniae carriage characteristics were observed between day care centers.
- Each day care center exhibited a unique pneumococcal strain pattern.
- Findings suggest day care centers function as independent microenvironments.
Conclusions:
- Day care centers are significant independent microenvironments influencing S. pneumoniae transmission.
- These settings contribute to the spread and increase of antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae in the community.
- Targeted interventions in day care settings may be necessary to control resistant pneumococcal strains.