Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Nasopharyngeal microbial interactions in the era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination

Eileen M Dunne1, Heidi C Smith-Vaughan, Roy M Robins-Browne

  • 1Pneumococcal Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia. eileen.dunne@mcri.edu.au

Vaccine
|March 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pneumococcal vaccination does not significantly impact Staphylococcus aureus carriage in children. However, it is linked to increased non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae in acute otitis media cases.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The nasopharynx is a common site for microbial colonization in children, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being a key pathogen.
  • Interactions between bacteria and viruses in the nasopharynx can influence colonization dynamics.
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV) has been observed to alter nasopharyngeal microbial communities, leading to the rise of non-vaccine serotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review data on pathogen co-colonization in the nasopharynx, specifically focusing on Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • To assess the impact of pneumococcal vaccination on Staphylococcus aureus carriage and related diseases.
  • To examine vaccine-induced changes in nasopharyngeal microbiology, including the role of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating nasopharyngeal co-colonization.
  • Analysis of data on Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus carriage.
  • Examination of the effects of pneumococcal vaccination on microbial dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Pneumococcal vaccination has not demonstrated a sustained impact on Staphylococcus aureus carriage.
  • An association exists between pneumococcal vaccination and an increase in non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae in acute otitis media.
  • Advances in detection methods are improving the study of nasopharyngeal microbiology.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence does not support a significant sustained increase in Staphylococcus aureus carriage due to pneumococcal vaccination.
  • Pneumococcal vaccination is associated with shifts in nasopharyngeal microbial populations, impacting other pathogens.
  • Further research, including baseline studies before vaccine introduction, is crucial for understanding vaccine-induced changes in nasopharyngeal microbiology.

More Related Videos

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae09:12

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Published on: January 17, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota 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...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia 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...