Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

16.4K

Dynamics of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage during the course of viral bronchiolitis

Tina E Faber1, Theo A Schuurs2, Nic J G M Veeger3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center Leeuwarden, P.O. Box 888, 8901 BR, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|February 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Viral respiratory infections negatively impact Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in children. This study found that viral bronchiolitis reduced pneumococcal load in the upper airways over time.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • The relationship between viral infections and nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children remains unclear.
  • Understanding this interaction is crucial for managing pediatric respiratory illnesses and pneumococcal disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of viral respiratory infections on the dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization in children.
  • To quantify changes in pneumococcal load during the course of viral bronchiolitis.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative PCR was employed to measure pneumococcal load in nasopharyngeal samples.
  • Study involved 100 children diagnosed with viral bronchiolitis.
  • Data collected at admission, discharge, and follow-up visits.

Main Results:

  • At admission, 47% of children with bronchiolitis carried Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • In children not receiving antibiotics, pneumococcal load significantly decreased from admission to discharge (cycle threshold 23 vs. 25, P=0.0017).
  • Further reduction in pneumococcal load was observed from discharge to follow-up (cycle threshold 25 vs. 40, P=0.003).

Conclusions:

  • Viral respiratory infections are associated with a negative impact on pneumococcal colonization in the upper airways.
  • This suggests a potential protective effect of viral infections against pneumococcal carriage in children.
  • Further research may explore mechanisms underlying this inverse relationship.

Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaenasopharyngeal carriagerespiratory syncytial virus

More Related Videos

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

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

Published on: February 23, 2014

15.7K
A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness12:21

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

Published on: September 28, 2022

3.3K

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...
12
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
4.0K
Acute Pharyngitis01:30

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
5.6K
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical 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...
33
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
3.9K
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...
1.3K