Independent risk factors for carriage of penicillin-non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae

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Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

Gili Regev-Yochay1, Meir Raz, Bracha Shainberg

  • 1Infectious Disease Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel. regevyoc@inter.net.il

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Young children attending day-care centers (DCC) and receiving antibiotic treatment have a significantly higher risk of carrying penicillin-non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSSp). Prior antibiotic use is also a key factor for PNSSp carriage in carriers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Penicillin-non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSSp) carriage is a growing concern.
  • Antibiotic treatment, day-care center (DCC) attendance, and young age are known risk factors for PNSSp carriage.
  • The independent contribution of these factors to individual risk remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the independent risk factors for PNSSp carriage in young children.
  • To differentiate between absolute risk and conditional risk of PNSSp carriage.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional surveillance study involving 429 children under 6 years old.
  • Nasopharyngeal cultures collected during pediatrician visits.
  • Calculation of simple odds ratios (ORS) for absolute risk and conditional odds ratios (ORC) for carriers.

Main Results:

  • PNSSp was detected in 37.1% of Streptococcus pneumoniae carriers.
  • Independent risk factors for carriage included young age (ORS 2.24), DCC attendance (ORS 3.8), young siblings (ORS 2.3), and antibiotic treatment in the prior 3 months (ORS 1.5).
  • Prior antibiotic treatment was the only significant risk factor among carriers (ORC 2.24).
  • Children with young age, DCC attendance, and recent antibiotic treatment faced a 12.9-fold higher risk.

Conclusions:

  • Young age, DCC attendance, and recent antibiotic exposure are independent risk factors for PNSSp carriage.
  • Antibiotic treatment is a critical factor influencing PNSSp carriage, both as an initial risk and for carriers.
  • Targeted interventions in high-risk groups may help reduce PNSSp prevalence.

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