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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

A longitudinal household study of Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage in a UK setting

M Hussain1, A Melegaro, R G Pebody

  • 1Immunisation Department, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, London, UK.

Epidemiology and Infection
|September 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage was common in UK pre-school children before the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). PCV could cover most serotypes, but monitoring non-vaccine types is crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a key factor in transmission.
  • Understanding carriage prevalence and serotype distribution is vital for vaccine impact assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence and serotype distribution of pneumococcal carriage in a UK household setting prior to widespread conjugate vaccine use.
  • To evaluate the potential impact of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) on carriage.

Main Methods:

  • A 10-month longitudinal household study in Hertfordshire, England (2001-2002).
  • Monthly collection of epidemiological data and nasopharyngeal swabs from 121 families (489 individuals).
  • Standard pneumococcal culture methods and serotyping.

Main Results:

  • Mean carriage prevalence varied by age: 52% (0-2 yrs), 45% (3-4 yrs), 21% (5-17 yrs), 8% (≥18 yrs).
  • Young children (0-2 yrs) were primary introducers of new serotypes into households.
  • PCV was estimated to cover 64% of serotypes without cross-protection and 82% with cross-protection.
  • Antibiotic resistance: 10% erythromycin resistance, 3.7% penicillin non-susceptibility.

Conclusions:

  • Pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage was highly prevalent in UK pre-school children before PCV introduction.
  • PCV demonstrated potential to cover a significant proportion of circulating pneumococcal serotypes.
  • Long-term monitoring of non-vaccine serotypes post-PCV introduction is recommended.

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