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Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
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Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

Investigation of risk factors for penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in Turkish children

E Ciftçi1, U Doğru, D Aysev

  • 1Ankara University Medical School, Department of Paediatrics, Ankara, Turkey. erginciftci@doctor.com

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|July 27, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Day-care attendance and upper respiratory infections increase Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization risk in children. Antibiotic use, crowded housing, and young siblings are key factors for penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae carriage.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant factor in pneumococcal infections.
  • The rise of penicillin resistance in S. pneumoniae complicates treatment strategies for these infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors associated with nasopharyngeal colonization by S. pneumoniae.
  • To determine risk factors for colonization with penicillin-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated 300 children for various risk factors, with or without infection.
  • Assessed penicillin susceptibility of S. pneumoniae isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs.

Main Results:

  • Day-care attendance (OR=2.82) and recent upper respiratory tract infection (OR=1.83) are risk factors for S. pneumoniae carriage.
  • Antibiotic use within 3 months (OR=81.07), >5 household members (OR=6.63), and having a sibling under 5 (OR=4.60) are risk factors for penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae carriage.

Conclusions:

  • Children are susceptible to colonization with both penicillin-susceptible and resistant S. pneumoniae.
  • Strategies to mitigate colonization include optimizing day-care settings, improving living conditions, and judicious antibiotic use.
Abstract

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