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Comparison of four different sampling methods for detecting pharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae and
1Department of Vaccines, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. Satu.Rapola@kt1.fi
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Nasopharyngeal aspirates are best for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in children. For younger children, nasopharyngeal swabs are optimal when aspirates aren
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Respiratory health
Background:
- Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are common in children.
- Accurate pathogen identification is crucial for effective treatment.
- Various sampling methods exist for respiratory specimen collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of four different sampling methods for isolating Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae from children with ARIs.
- To determine the optimal sampling method based on pathogen and age group.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous collection of samples using nasal, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal swabs, and nasopharyngeal aspiration from 96 children with ARIs.
- Culturing of specimens on chocolate and blood agar plates.
- Comparative analysis of isolation rates for S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae across the four methods.
Main Results:
- Nasopharyngeal aspiration yielded the highest isolation rates for both S. pneumoniae (33%) and H. influenzae (31%).
- For children under 13 months, nasopharyngeal swabs were optimal in the absence of aspirates.
- For older children, nasopharyngeal swabs were best for S. pneumoniae, while oropharyngeal swabs were optimal for H. influenzae.
Conclusions:
- Nasopharyngeal aspiration is the most effective method for detecting S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in pediatric ARIs.
- Nasopharyngeal swabs are a viable alternative for younger children when aspiration is not feasible.
- Age-specific optimal methods should be considered for respiratory pathogen sampling in children.
Abstract:
Samples from 96 children with acute respiratory infection were obtained simultaneously with nasal, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal swabs and by nasopharyngeal aspiration and were cultured on chocolate and blood agar plates. The rates of isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae detected by the four sampling methods were compared. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were optimal for the detection of both S. pneumoniae (isolation rate, 33%) and H. influenzae (isolation rate, 31%). When a nasopharyngeal aspirate is not available, such as for healthy children or children with no obtainable secretions, the nasopharyngeal swab seems optimal for the detection of both S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae among children younger than 13 months of age. Among older children, similarly, the nasopharyngeal swab seems optimal for the detection of S. pneumoniae; however, for H. influenzae, the oropharyngeal swab seems optimal.