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Serotype Distribution and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Streptococcus pneumoniae in COVID-19 Pandemic Era

Samanta C G Almeida1, Ana Paula S de Lemos1, Ana Luiza Bierrenbach2

  • 1Center of Bacteriology, National Laboratory for Meningitis and Invasive Pneumococcal Infections, Institute Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-902, Brazil.

Microorganisms
|February 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Despite pneumococcal vaccines, Streptococcus pneumoniae causes invasive diseases. During COVID-19, serotype distribution remained stable, but resistance to penicillin and ceftriaxone increased, especially in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a significant cause of invasive diseases globally, even with vaccine introduction.
  • Understanding serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial for public health interventions.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the epidemiology of bacterial infections due to changes in healthcare access and social behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Brazil.
  • To compare these patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To assess changes in two key age groups: children under 5 years and adults aged 50 years and older.

Main Methods:

  • A national laboratory-based surveillance study utilizing data from invasive S. pneumoniae isolates.
  • Data collected from January 2016 to May 2022, divided into pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods.
  • Antimicrobial resistance evaluated using disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods.

Main Results:

  • A notable reduction in S. pneumoniae isolates was observed in 2020, followed by an increasing trend from 2021.
  • No significant differences in serotype distribution were found between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods.
  • Serotypes 19A, 3, and 6C were prevalent during the COVID-19 period, with 19A and 6C associated with antimicrobial non-susceptibility.
  • Elevated resistance rates, particularly to penicillin and ceftriaxone, were observed in non-meningitis cases among children under 5.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic did not alter S. pneumoniae serotype distribution or cause an epidemiological capsular switch in Brazil.
  • Despite a reduction in isolate numbers, antimicrobial resistance, especially in young children, remains a concern.
  • Continued surveillance is essential to monitor pneumococcal epidemiology and guide treatment strategies.
Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaeinvasive pneumococcal diseasepneumococcal serotypespneumococcal vaccines

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