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[Epidemiologic problems of pneumococcal infection]
Abstract:
During the microbiological examination of 314 tentatively healthy donors, residents of Leningrad, Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in the rhinopharynx of 94 donors (29.9%) in amounts ranging from a few individual microbial cells to 10(6) microbial cells with the mean geometric concentration equal to 3.58 lg. Antipneumococcal antibodies were detected in the blood of 147 donors (46.8%). The occurrence of antipneumococcal antibodies was approximately 2.5 times higher than the average level of carriership, but in most cases the dynamics of immunological reactions changed in the same direction. Considerable monthly and annual fluctuations in the occurrence of pneumococcal carriership and antipneumococcal antibodies, as well as their correlation with the epidemic rises of acute respiratory diseases, influenza and other acute respiratory viral diseases, were established. These data indicate that pneumococcal infection plays a definite role in the epidemic rises of acute respiratory diseases.
Insights
Streptococcus pneumoniae was found in nearly 30% of healthy donors, with antibody presence in over 46%. Pneumococcal carriership and antibodies fluctuated with respiratory disease outbreaks, indicating a role in epidemics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant respiratory pathogen.
- Understanding pneumococcal carriage and host immune response is crucial for public health.
- The study examines carriage rates and antibody prevalence in a healthy donor population.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in the rhinopharynx of healthy donors.
- To assess the presence of antipneumococcal antibodies in the blood of these donors.
- To investigate the correlation between pneumococcal carriage, antibody levels, and the incidence of acute respiratory diseases.
Summary:
- Microbiological examination of 314 healthy donors revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae in 29.9% of participants.
- Antipneumococcal antibodies were detected in 46.8% of donors, with dynamics often mirroring carriage levels.
- Significant monthly and annual fluctuations in carriage and antibodies correlated with outbreaks of acute respiratory diseases and influenza.
Impact:
- These findings highlight the role of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the epidemic rise of acute respiratory diseases.
- The data suggest pneumococcal infection contributes to the burden of respiratory illness in the community.
- Understanding these dynamics can inform public health strategies for disease prevention and control.