Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
06:06
Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43
Published on: September 11, 2020
Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization in remote African Pygmies.
Frieder Schaumburg1, Abraham Alabi, Christof von Eiff
1Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon. frieder.schaumburg@ukmuenster.de
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a risk for African Pygmies due to health disparities. This study identified high carriage rates of drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, with unusual serotypes challenging vaccine efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- African Pygmies face elevated risks for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) linked to socioeconomic factors and healthcare access.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage and IPD risk factors were investigated in a remote Gabonese Pygmy community.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Streptococcus pneumoniae strains among Gabonese Pygmies.
- To identify risk factors associated with S. pneumoniae carriage.
- To inform prophylaxis and therapy strategies for IPD in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study assessed nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae in 103 Pygmies.
- Evaluated S. pneumoniae susceptibility, serotypes, and potential IPD risk factors.
Main Results:
- The carriage rate of S. pneumoniae was 37%, with the highest prevalence (79%) in children aged 2-4 years.
- Predominant serotypes included 15A, 11A, and 6A. Significant antibiotic non-susceptibility was observed against trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (61%) and tetracycline (55%).
- Among adults, high rates of alcohol consumption (69%) and cigarette smoking (75%) were reported.
Conclusions:
- High rates of substance abuse (nicotine and alcohol) may elevate IPD risk in this population.
- The presence of unusual S. pneumoniae serotypes complicates vaccine coverage, while widespread antibiotic resistance restricts treatment options for IPD.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...