Shabnam Jain,
Author Of 1 Presentation
STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE (SP) NASOPHARYNGEAL CARRIAGE (NPC) AMONG ADOLESCENTS AGE 11-17 YEARS, ATLANTA, GA, USA 2018 (ID 1000)
Abstract
Background
Pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage (SP-NPC) in children aged <5 years is well-described. Less is known about SP-NPC in adolescents. SP-NPC studies in Atlanta documented carriage rates of ~30% in children aged <5 years. We evaluated SP-NPC in adolescents.
Methods
NP swabs collected from children aged 11-17 years in an Atlanta emergency department from December 2017-December 2018 were broth-enriched, cultured for SP, and serotyped. Demographics and medical and immunization records were collected.
Results
Of 260 adolescents enrolled, 8 (3.1%) had SP-NPC. Mean age of enrollees was 13.5 years (12.9 years for carriers); 58% were female (63% for carriers). 72% had no documented underlying conditions (50% for carriers). 50% of carriers reported having asthma. Among enrollees with immunization records available, 132/219 (60%) overall and 5/6 (83%) carriers were fully immunized for SP with PCV7. 2 carried vaccine serotypes (VT): S3 (PCV13 VT), S19F (PCV7/13 VT) but were immunized with PCV7 only. 6 carried non-VT: S6C, S15C, S21, S23A, S23B, S37.
Conclusions
Adolescent SP-NPC was low compared to children aged <5 years in Atlanta, GA USA, illustrating adolescents’ limited role in SP-NPC. Adolescent SP-NPC of mostly non-VT, despite lack of PCV13 immunization, supports successes of routine pediatric vaccination and herd immunity.