Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination
Published on: September 25, 2014
Serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in children≤5years with invasive pneumococcal disease
Jyotsana Singh1, Suba Sundaresan2, Anand Manoharan3
1Pushpagiri Research Centre, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.
Insights
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) cover up to 78.4% of invasive pneumococcal disease in Indian children under five. Continued surveillance is crucial for vaccine selection and rollout in India.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant childhood morbidity and mortality in India.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) like PCV-10 and PCV-13 are available, with others in development.
- Understanding serotype distribution is vital for India's universal immunization program.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and report trends and distribution of pneumococcal serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in India.
- To inform policy-making regarding the introduction of PCV into India's universal immunization program.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of hospital-based observational studies from India (1990-2016).
- Included peer-reviewed and gray literature in English.
- Focused on studies documenting serotype prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in children ≤5 years.
Main Results:
- Seven studies were included in the final analysis.
- The most frequent serotypes causing IPD in children ≤5 years were 14, 1, 19F, 6B, 5, 6A, 9V, and 23F.
- Serotypes 14 and 19A were geographically widespread. Available PCVs cover 67.3-78.4% of serotypes causing IPD.
Conclusions:
- Available PCVs cover a significant proportion (up to 78.4%) of IPD serotypes in young Indian children.
- Continued sentinel surveillance is essential to monitor changing serotype trends.
- Surveillance data will guide vaccine selection and optimize PCV rollout in India.
Background:
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of childhood diseases that result in significant morbidity and mortality in India. Commercially licensed and available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) include ten (PCV-10) and 13 (PCV-13) pneumococcal serotypes. Vaccines with other serotype combinations are under development. Reviewing and reporting trends and distribution of pneumococcal serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal disease in India will be useful for policy making as PCV is being introduced into India's universal immunization program.
Methods:
We conducted a systematic literature review of hospital based observational studies (both peer reviewed and gray literature published in English) from India available from January 1990 to December 2016. Studies that documented data on the prevalence of serotype distribution and the antimicrobial resistance pattern of S. pneumoniae in children≤5years of age were included.
Result:
We screened a total number of 116 studies, of which 109 studies were excluded. Final analysis included seven studies. The most frequent pneumococcal serotypes causing invasive disease among children≤5years were 14, 1, 19F, 6B, 5, 6A, 9V and 23F. Serotype 14 and 19A were represented in most of the geographical regions studied in the reviewed articles. Currently available PCV formulations included 67.3-78.4% of all serotypes contributing to IPD among Indian children≤5years. Pneumococcal resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, penicillin, chloramphenicol, levofloxacin and cefotaxime was seen in 81%, 37%, 10%, 8%, 6% and 4% of all pneumococcal isolates respectively, while vancomycin resistance was not reported.
Conclusion:
The present review demonstrates that up to 78.4% of reported invasive pneumococcal disease in children≤5years in India are currently caused by serotypes that are included in the available licensed PCVs. However, sentinel surveillance must be continued in representative parts of the country to assess the changing trends in distribution of pneumococcal serotypes and their implication for vaccine selection and rollout in India.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
01:30Pneumonia 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...
01:30Acute Pharyngitis
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:
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include: