Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

17.5K

Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage and antibiotic use in children in southwestern Uganda

Birungi Mutahunga1, Nahabwe Haven2,3, Orikushaba I Magezi4

  • 1Department of Health, Kanungu District Local Government, Kanungu, Uganda.

Journal of Public Health in Africa
|April 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

In Uganda, Streptococcus pneumoniae is common in young children, with high antibiotic use for respiratory infections. Further research is needed on carriage and resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Acute respiratory infection (ARI) poses a significant threat to children under five in Uganda.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common causative agent of ARI in this age group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document caretaker behavior in seeking treatment for suspected ARI in children.
  • To estimate the prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy and sick children in rural southwestern Uganda.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to August 2023.
  • Caretaker interviews, nasopharyngeal swab collection, and microbiological culture for S. pneumoniae identification.
  • Data analysis using SPSS and ArcPro GIS.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 50% of surveyed families reported a child was ill, with most exhibiting ARI symptoms.
  • 80% of caretakers sought treatment outside the home; antibiotics were administered in 56% of cases.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae prevalence was 34%, associated with household density, size, and number of children.

Conclusions:

  • High carriage rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae were observed in the study region.
  • A high incidence of antibiotic use for suspected ARI was documented.
  • Evidence supports further assessment of S. pneumoniae carriage and antibiotic resistance potential.
Abstract

Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaantimicrobialcaretakerhousehold surveyprevalence

More Related Videos

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP009208:53

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092

Published on: October 2, 2017

32.5K
Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/4306:06

Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43

Published on: September 11, 2020

1.8K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
1.0K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
413
Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test01:26

Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test

A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
3.0K
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...
88
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and...
245
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within...
106