01 December 2008
The epidemiology of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease in Croatian children
Marija GuzvinecABE, Goran TesovicADEF, Arjana Tambic-AndrasevicBFG, Snjezana Zidovec-LepejBD, Biserka Troselj VukicDF, Josip BegovacCEMed Sci Monit 2008; 14(12): PH59-64 :: ID: 869462
Abstract
Background
Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a major medical problem in childhood. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) offer a new possibility to reduce the incidence of pneumococcal infections, especially IPD. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of IPD among Croatian children and examine the possibilities of introducing different PCVs in our population.
Material and Method
Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates causing IPD during three years (2001, 2005, 2006) in Croatian children younger than 14 years old were collected prospectively. Epidemiological and clinical parameters, results of serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility data were evaluated.
Results
One hundred strains were collected during the study period. The ages of the patients ranged from 30 days to 13 years (median: 25.5 months). Seventy-nine percent of the isolates were from patients younger than five years old. The incidence of IPD was highest among children younger than two years of age (33.9/100,000). Serotypes 14, 6B, 18C, and 23F accounted for 67% of all serotypes. The overall coverage rates of PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13 were 72%, 80%, and 90%, respectively. Low-level resistance to penicillin was found in 20% of the isolates and high resistance to erythromycin in 33.8%. PCV7 covered 85% of the penicillin-resistant strains and 80% of the erythromycin-resistant strains.
Conclusions
The inclusion of a PCV in the immunization program could have a considerable effect on IPD-associated morbidity among Croatian children.
Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae - isolation & purification, Streptococcal Infections - prevention & control, Pneumococcal Vaccines - administration & dosage, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Incidence, Croatia - epidemiology, Child, Preschool, Adolescent, Child
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Apr 2020 : Original article
Outcome of 24 Weeks of Combined Schroth and Pilates Exercises on Cobb Angle, Angle of Trunk Rotation, Chest...DOI :10.12659/MSMBR.920449
Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2020; 26:e920449
11 May 2020 : Original article
Analysis of Psychological and Sleep Status and Exercise Rehabilitation of Front-Line Clinical Staff in the ...DOI :10.12659/MSMBR.924085
Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2020; 26:e924085
05 Jan 2021 : Review article
A Southeast Asian Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Hemoglobin E (HbE)-Trait Confers Resistance Against...DOI :10.12659/MSMBR.929207
Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2021; 27:e929207
10 Aug 2020 : Clinical Research
Effects of Cognitive Task Training on Dynamic Balance and Gait of Patients with Stroke: A Preliminary Rando...DOI :10.12659/MSMBR.925264
Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2020; 26:e925264