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Pneumococcal pneumonia in hospitalized Uruguayan children and potential prevention with different vaccine
María Hortal1, Graciela Sehabiague, Teresa Camou
1National Child Health Program, Ministry of Health, Children's Hospital, Montevideo, Uruguay. mhortal@st.com.uy
Insights
This study identified common Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes causing pneumonia in children. A 10-valent vaccine shows higher coverage potential for invasive pneumococcal disease in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pneumococcal pneumonia remains a significant cause of childhood illness.
- Understanding circulating Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes is crucial for vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pneumococcal pneumonia serotypes in children aged 0-14 years.
- To estimate the potential coverage of antipneumococcal vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of pediatric patients (2000-2004) with pneumococcal pneumonia.
- Analysis of clinical, radiographic, and microbiologic data.
- Identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes from blood or pleural fluid.
Main Results:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in 387 of 410 patients.
- Serotypes 14, 1, 5, 3, 9V, 6B, and 7F were most frequent.
- A 10-valent vaccine could cover 83.8% of invasive isolates in children under 24 months.
Conclusions:
- This research provides essential data on pneumococcal serotypes causing pneumonia in children.
- Findings aid in evaluating the effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
Objectives:
To provide information on pneumococcal pneumonias, on their associated serotypes, and to estimate the coverage potentially afforded by antipneumococcal vaccines.
Study Design:
A retrospective study (2000 to 2004) was performed of patients with pneumococcal pneumonia aged 0 to 14 years admitted to the National Reference Children's Hospital in Uruguay. Selected clinical data, radiographic interpretation, and microbiologic reports were obtained for analysis.
Results:
Of 410 enrolled patients, 384 had consolidated pneumonia/pleural effusion and 26 had infiltrates without consolidation: Pneumococcus was identified in blood or in pleural fluid of 387 patients; 21 serotypes were identified. The most frequent serotypes in decreasing order were serotypes 14, 1, 5, 3, 9V, 6B, and 7F. Forty-eight percent of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were obtained from children younger than 24 months. For this group, the 7-valent vaccine would cover 60%, but a 10-valent vaccine would cover 83.8%.
Conclusions:
This study provides information on pneumonia of proven S. pneumoniae causes and their associated serotypes, enabling estimation of potential effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
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