Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

16.0K

Pneumococcal carriage in children with COVID-19

Kubra Aykac1, Yasemin Ozsurekci2, Burcu Ceylan Cura Yayla1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Health Science Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
|January 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children with COVID-19 had a higher rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage. However, this pneumococcal carriage did not impact the severity or course of COVID-19 disease in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant human pathogen, but its interaction with SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear.
  • Understanding coinfections is crucial for managing pediatric respiratory illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in pediatric patients.
  • To determine if S. pneumoniae coinfection influences the clinical presentation or severity of COVID-19 in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of medical records from pediatric patients tested for SARS-CoV-2.
  • Nasopharyngeal specimens were analyzed for both SARS-CoV-2 and S. pneumoniae.
  • Data from 829 pediatric patients were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • A higher nasopharyngeal carriage rate of S. pneumoniae was observed in SARS-CoV-2 positive children (32.2%) compared to SARS-CoV-2 negative children (14.1%).
  • No statistically significant differences were found in clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, or disease severity between patients with and without S. pneumoniae positivity, regardless of SARS-CoV-2 status.
  • Pneumococcal carriage did not appear to affect the course of COVID-19 disease.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric patients with COVID-19 exhibit an increased rate of nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage does not seem to alter the clinical course or severity of COVID-19 in children.
  • The implications of increased pneumococcal carriage during the pandemic warrant further investigation, highlighting the importance of pneumococcal vaccination.

Keywords:
COVID-19S. pneumoniaechildren

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

15.3K
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

2.8K

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology01:29

Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
1.8K
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...
502
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
610
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....
3.0K
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
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:
586
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:
2.7K