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Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

Factors associated with pneumococcal carriage in healthy Dutch infants: the generation R study

Joost A M Labout1, Liesbeth Duijts, Lidia R Arends

  • 1Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|July 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pneumococcal carriage in infants increases significantly by 14 months, with siblings and daycare attendance being key risk factors. Previous carriage also predicts future carriage, highlighting the importance of early-life dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Pneumococcal carriage in infancy is a critical factor in the transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Understanding carriage dynamics is essential for evaluating the impact of conjugate vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and temporal trends of pneumococcal carriage in infants.
  • To assess the association between carriage and factors like siblings, day care, and previous carriage status.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, population-based cohort study was conducted in the Netherlands.
  • Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from infants at 1.5, 6, and 14 months of age.
  • Risk factor data were gathered through questionnaires and medical records.

Main Results:

  • Pneumococcal carriage prevalence rose from 8.3% at 1.5 months to 44.5% at 14 months.
  • Serotypes covered by the 7-valent conjugate vaccine showed increased prevalence with age.
  • Having siblings and attending day care were significantly associated with increased carriage. Previous carriage at 6 months predicted carriage at 14 months.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of pneumococcal carriage, including vaccine-targeted serotypes, increases substantially during infancy.
  • Siblings, day care attendance, and prior pneumococcal carriage are independent predictors of carriage in infants.
Abstract

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