Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Persistent vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease in children despite high PCV13 coverage: the role of serotype 3

Pilar Ciruela1, Sonia Broner2, Fernando Moraga-Llop3

  • 1Agencia de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Generalitat de Catalunya, Aragó, 330-332, 08009 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

Vaccine
|July 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Despite high pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) use, vaccine failure in children with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) remains a concern, primarily driven by serotype 3. Enhanced surveillance and new vaccines are crucial for better protection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccinology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) persists despite widespread pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) use.
  • Evidence on PCV13 vaccine failure and breakthrough infections with sustained high coverage is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate PCV13 vaccine failure and breakthrough infections in children with IPD.
  • To compare outcomes during high PCV13 coverage with a pre-universal PCV13 period.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study of children (<18 years) with IPD in Catalonia, Spain (2018-2023).
  • Analysis of clinical, vaccination, epidemiological, and microbiological data.
  • Comparison with cases from the 2012-2016 pre-PCV13 period; logistic regression and multilocus sequence typing were employed.

Main Results:

  • Among 206 vaccinated children with IPD, 48.0% (85/177) fully vaccinated experienced vaccine failure.
  • Serotype 3 was responsible for 84.7% of vaccine failures and all breakthrough infections, strongly linked to complicated pneumonia.
  • Excluding serotype 3 reduced vaccine failure to 12.4%; ST180 was the predominant lineage for serotype 3.

Conclusions:

  • Vaccine failure is a substantial issue in pediatric PCV13-type IPD in high-coverage settings, largely due to serotype 3.
  • Molecular diagnostics and ongoing surveillance are vital.
  • Development of vaccines with improved serotype 3 protection is essential.
Abstract

Keywords:
Breakthrough infectionInvasive pneumococcal diseasePCV13 eraSerotype 3Vaccine failures

More Related Videos

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

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction04:25

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction

Published on: February 24, 2014

Related Concept Videos

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:
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis01:27

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as “strep throat,” is an acute infection of the oropharyngeal tissues caused by the Gram‑positive Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.Mechanisms of Host Entry and Immune EvasionUpon entering the host, S. pyogenes adheres to the mucosal epithelial cells of the pharynx via surface proteins, notably lipoteichoic acid and the antiphagocytic...
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 include...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...