Reduction of Streptococcus pneumoniae in upper respiratory tract cultures and a decreased incidence of related acute otitis media following introduction of childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in a Swedish county

Abstract

On a global basis, Streptococcus pneumoniae is estimated to cause 1.6 million fatal infections annually, including 0.7-1 million children aged <5 years. The burden of disease is highest amongst children <2 years of age and in the elderly [1]. S. pneumoniae commonly causes invasive disease (IPD), pneumonia, septicemia and meningitis, but is also a leading cause of milder non-invasive infections such as non-bacteremic pneumonia, acute otitis media (AOM) and sinusitis. Pneumococcal infection is in most cases preceded by nasopharyngeal colonization.