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Association of serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae with age in invasive pneumococcal disease

Matthias Imöhl1, Ralf René Reinert, Christina Ocklenburg

  • 1Institute of Medical Microbiology, National Reference Center for Streptococci, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr 30, Aachen 52074, Germany. mimoehl@ukaachen.de

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|January 29, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Leading pneumococcal serotypes vary by age group in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Serotypes 14, 6B, 19F, and 18C were more common in children, while adults had higher rates of serotypes 3 and 4.

Area of Science:

  • * Microbiology
  • * Epidemiology
  • * Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • * Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) remains a significant global health concern.
  • * Understanding the distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes is crucial for disease prevention and vaccine development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To analyze the serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates causing IPD.
  • * To identify age-specific patterns in serotype prevalence from 1992 to 2006.

Main Methods:

  • * Retrospective analysis of 7,764 IPD isolates collected between 1992 and June 2006.
  • * Serotype data was available for 5,022 isolates (64.7%).
  • * Isolates were categorized by patient age: children (<16 years) and adults (>=16 years).

Main Results:

  • * The most common serotypes overall were 14, 23F, 1, 6B, 7F, 3, and 4.
  • * Serotypes 14, 6B, 19F, and 18C were significantly more prevalent in children.
  • * Serotypes 3 and 4 were predominant in adults. Specific serotypes showed distinct age predilections, such as 7F in infants under 4 months and 19F in children aged 4 months to 1 year.

Conclusions:

  • * Serotype distribution in IPD exhibits significant variations across different age groups.
  • * Age-specific epidemiological data on pneumococcal serotypes are essential for targeted public health interventions and vaccine strategies.
  • * The findings highlight the dynamic nature of IPD epidemiology and the need for ongoing surveillance.

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