Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Published on: January 17, 2014
Long-term effects of pneumococcal colonization during early childhood wheezing
Katri Backman1,2, Eija Piippo-Savolainen3, Hertta Ollikainen4
1Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. katri.backman@kuh.fi.
Background:
Bacterial colonization during wheezing in early childhood has been associated with short-term relapses of wheezing, but no study has addressed the effects of Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization on long-term outcome of wheezing. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate whether pneumococcal (PNC) colonization during the first wheezing episode in early childhood is a determinant of asthma, atopy or lung function in the long term.
Methods:
In 1981-82 83 infants were hospitalized for first wheezing episode at <24 months of age. PNC colonization was defined as positive nasopharyngeal aspirate for S. pneumoniae either in culture or antigen detection on hospital admission. Atopy and repeated wheezing or asthma were diagnosed on all follow-up visits from infancy until the age of 28-31 years. Spirometry was conducted at the ages of 8-10, 18-20 and 28-31 years.
Results:
PNC colonization was found in 25/83 infants (30%) during hospitalization for wheezing in infancy. PNC colonization was not associated with later atopy, repeated wheezing, asthma or lung function at any time during the 30 year follow up.
Conclusion:
PNC colonization during the first wheezing episode in early childhood is not a determinant of subsequent wheezing or later asthma, atopy or lung function in childhood, adolescence or adulthood.
More Related Videos
05:31Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
11:32Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia I: Introduction
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...
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
Development of Human Microbiota