Ingrid Bucens,
Author Of 1 Presentation
NASOPHARYNGEAL CARRIAGE OF S. PNEUMONIAE IN CHILDREN SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION (SAM) AND/OR PNEUMONIA: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM A SURVEILLANCE PROJECT AT THE DILI NATIONAL HOSPITAL, TIMOR-LESTE (ID 1172)
Abstract
Background
Children with SAM have impaired immune function (including mucosal defences) and an increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia. We evaluated if SAM was associated with increased nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae (Spn).
Methods
Pulmaun Saudavel is an ongoing surveillance study of children aged 1-59 months hospitalised with SAM and/or pneumonia in Dili, Timor-Leste, where no pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is in use. SAM is defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Pneumonia is defined as cough or difficulty breathing and any one of: respiratory rate >50bpm, oxygen saturation <90%, lower chest wall indrawing, or WHO-defined radiological pneumonia. NP swabs are collected after admission and processed according to WHO guidelines.
Results
Of 160 cases enrolled to date, 103 (64%) had pneumonia, 27 (17%) SAM, and 30 (19%) both pneumonia and SAM. Overall NP carriage of Spn was 27% (43/160). There was no difference in carriage between SAM cases (15/57, 26%) and pneumonia-only cases (27/97, 28%). Among children with SAM, those with pneumonia had higher carriage (11/30, 37%) compared to those without pneumonia (4/27, 15%; p=0.08).
Conclusions
Pneumonia is a common complication of SAM and may be associated with increased Spn carriage. PCV use in Timor-Leste is likely to benefit children with SAM.