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Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Sep 2013Streptococcus pneumoniae remains an important cause of disease with high mortality and morbidity, especially in children and in the elderly. The widespread use of the... (Review)
Review
Streptococcus pneumoniae remains an important cause of disease with high mortality and morbidity, especially in children and in the elderly. The widespread use of the polysaccharide conjugate vaccines in some countries has led to a significant decrease in invasive disease caused by vaccine serotypes, but an increase in disease caused by non-vaccine serotypes has impacted on the overall efficacy of these vaccines on pneumococcal disease. The obvious solution to overcome such shortcomings would be the development of new formulations that provide serotype-independent immunity. This review focuses on the most promising approaches, including protein antigens, whole cell pneumococcal vaccines, and recombinant bacteria expressing pneumococcal antigens. The protective capacity of these vaccine candidates against the different stages of pneumococcal infection, including colonization, mucosal disease, and invasive disease in animal models is reviewed. Some of the human trials that have already been performed or that are currently ongoing are presented. Finally, the feasibility and the possible shortcomings of these candidates in relation to an ideal vaccine against pneumococcal infections are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Antigens; Clinical Trials as Topic; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Meningitis, Bacterial; Mice; Mucous Membrane; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Recombinant Proteins; Serotyping; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vaccines, Conjugate
PubMed: 23269437
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1234-8 -
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England) Jul 2012In 2011, the Department of Health in England recommended that welders should each receive a single dose of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In 2011, the Department of Health in England recommended that welders should each receive a single dose of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23).
AIMS
To assess the evidence behind the advice and its practical implications.
METHODS
The review was informed by a systematic search in Medline, which related pneumonia to welding and/or exposure to metal fume, and was supplemented using the personal libraries of the authors.
RESULTS
There is consistent evidence that welders die more often of pneumonia, especially lobar pneumonia, are hospitalized more often for lobar and pneumococcal pneumonia, and more often develop invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). It is estimated that one case of IPD may be prevented over a 10-year period by vaccinating 588 welders against pneumococcal infection.
CONCLUSIONS
A good case exists that employers should offer PPV23 vaccination to welders and other employees exposed to metal fume. Additionally, reasonable measures must be taken to minimize exposure to welding fume, and welders should be encouraged not to smoke.
Topics: Canada; England; Gases; Humans; Metals; Occupational Exposure; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal; United States; Welding
PubMed: 22764269
DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqs055 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Sep 2023Streptococcus pneumoniae can co-infect persons who have viral respiratory tract infections. However, research on S. pneumoniae infections that are temporally associated...
Streptococcus pneumoniae can co-infect persons who have viral respiratory tract infections. However, research on S. pneumoniae infections that are temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections is limited. We described the epidemiology and clinical course of patients who had invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and temporally associated SARS-CoV-2 infections in Alaska, USA, during January 1, 2020-December 23, 2021. Of 271 patients who had laboratory-confirmed IPD, 55 (20%) had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. We observed no major differences in age, race, sex, or underlying medical conditions among IPD patients with and without SARS-CoV-2. However, a larger proportion of IPD patients with SARS-CoV-2 died (16%, n = 9) than for those with IPD alone (4%, n = 9) (p<0.01). IPD patients with SARS-CoV-2 were also more likely to be experiencing homelessness (adjusted OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.7-7.5). Our study highlights the risk for dual infection and ongoing benefits of pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccination, especially among vulnerable populations.
Topics: Humans; Alaska; COVID-19 Vaccines; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Pneumococcal Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Pneumococcal Vaccines
PubMed: 37506683
DOI: 10.3201/eid2909.230080 -
PloS One 2024The Ukrainian Ministerial Order (UMO) recommends pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) in risk groups but not free-of-charge resulting in coverage <5% (crude estimation). In 2022,...
BACKGROUND
The Ukrainian Ministerial Order (UMO) recommends pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) in risk groups but not free-of-charge resulting in coverage <5% (crude estimation). In 2022, the vaccination calendar will include PCV for children <5years. Doctors' pneumococcal knowledge, attitudes and practices (КAP) are paramount to successful roll-out but unexplored. We surveyed doctors aiming to assess their KAP to address gaps and misconceptions and support PCV implementation.
METHODS
In March 2021, we selected and surveyed primary care doctors using simple random sampling and structured self-administered online questionnaire. We measured attitudes (importance, effectiveness, safety) and practices using 5-point Likert-type questions. We defined pneumococcal disease (PD) knowledge as low/moderate (<80%) and high (≥80%), PCV and overall knowledge as low (≤50%) and moderate/high (51-100%) and PCV attitudes and practices as negative/neutral (1.0-3.4) and positive (3.5-5.0). We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) using Poisson regression.
RESULTS
The response rate was 46% (286/628). Females represented 85% (243/285); the median age was 47 (interquartile range: 33-59, N = 281) years. Twenty-six percent (72/277) had high PD knowledge associated with age (>47 years: PR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.30-0.90) and child-related UMO awareness (PR = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.04-3.08); 65% (182/278) had moderate/high PCV knowledge associated with positive attitudes towards PCV effectiveness (PR = 2.08, 95%CI: 1.20-3.59). Overall knowledge was moderate/high in 69% (188/271); 83% (220/265) had positive PCV attitudes; 52% (135/258) had positive practices associated with female sex (PR = 2.11, 95%CI: 1.09-4.09), positive attitudes (PR = 3.40, 95%CI: 1.23-9.39) and perception of vaccine supply as medium/big barrier (PR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.02-2.72).
CONCLUSION
We observed moderate pneumococcal knowledge, especially in older doctors, positive PCV attitudes and neutral practices. Females and doctors with positive attitudes recommended PCV more. For successful PCV implementation, we recommend proper planning and prior educational activities targeting patients and primary care doctors, especially older males, to improve knowledge, introduce PCV and address concerns while ensuring uninterrupted vaccine supply.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Ukraine; Pneumococcal Infections; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Adult; Physicians, Primary Care; Vaccination; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Attitude of Health Personnel
PubMed: 38843200
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304346 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics 2016Streptococcus pneumoniae remains one of the most frequent bacterial causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. National immunization programs implementing pneumococcal... (Review)
Review
Streptococcus pneumoniae remains one of the most frequent bacterial causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. National immunization programs implementing pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have successfully reduced rates of vaccine-type invasive disease and colonization both via direct effects in immunized children and, in some settings, indirect effects in unimmunized individuals. Limitations of the current PCV approach include the emergence of non-vaccine serotypes contributing to carriage and invasive disease in high-PCV coverage settings and the high cost of goods of PCVs which limits their accessibility in developing countries where the burden of disease remains highest. Furthermore, the distribution of serotypes causing disease varies geographically and includes more serotypes than are currently covered in a single PCV formulation. Researchers have long been exploring the potential of genetically conserved non-capsular pneumococcal antigens as vaccine candidates that might overcome such limitations. To better evaluate the rationale of such approaches, an understanding of the mechanisms of immunity to the various phases of pneumococcal infection is of paramount importance. Herein we will review the evolving understanding of both vaccine-induced and naturally acquired immunity to pneumococcal colonization and infection and discuss how this informs current approaches using serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine candidates. We will then review the alternative vaccine candidates that have been or are currently under evaluation in clinical trials.
Topics: Antigens, Bacterial; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunization Programs; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Serogroup; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vaccination; Vaccines, Conjugate
PubMed: 26535755
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1087625 -
Chang Gung Medical Journal Nov 2005Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading bacterial pathogen of infectious diseases in children and adolescents. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine could... (Review)
Review
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading bacterial pathogen of infectious diseases in children and adolescents. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine could prevent invasive pneumococcal infection with broader serotype coverage but still has some limitations. On the other hand, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been shown to decrease cases of nasopharyngeal acquired S. pneumoniae vaccine serotypes and proved herd immunity. The safety and efficacy against vaccine serotype pneumococcal diseases have been documented. However, the potential risk of increasing non-vaccine serotype pneumococcal diseases should be considered. This article reviews the current status of pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal vaccines. We also review the current situation of pneumococcal infections and vaccines in Taiwan. Surveillance of disease burden and clinical isolates should be continued.
Topics: Humans; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Vaccination; Vaccines, Conjugate
PubMed: 16422182
DOI: No ID Found -
Immunology Apr 2021Antibodies are a key element of the immune response. They can bind their molecular targets with exquisite sensitivity and specificity, providing protection against a...
Antibodies are a key element of the immune response. They can bind their molecular targets with exquisite sensitivity and specificity, providing protection against a multitude of pathogens. They have long been understood to be markers of a successful response to vaccination, and are now widely manufactured as highly specific and robust immunotherapeutic agents. Less well understood are the polyreactive antibodies, found in serum, which are able to bind more than one target molecule. Here, we highlight new research into these naturally occurring polyreactive antibodies, which demonstrates their importance for protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of airway infection.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibody Formation; Epitopes; Humans; Pneumococcal Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vaccination
PubMed: 33729558
DOI: 10.1111/imm.13324 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2023Pneumococcal disease is a major threat to public health globally, impacting individuals across all age groups, particularly infants and elderly individuals. The use of...
Pneumococcal disease is a major threat to public health globally, impacting individuals across all age groups, particularly infants and elderly individuals. The use of current vaccines has led to unintended consequences, including serotype replacement, leading to a need for a new approach to combat pneumococcal disease. A promising solution is the development of a broad-spectrum pneumococcal vaccine. In this study, we present the development of a broad-spectrum protein-based pneumococcal vaccine that contains three pneumococcal virulence factors: rlipo-PsaA (lipidated form), rPspAΔC (truncated form), and rPspCΔC (truncated form). Intranasal immunization with rlipo-PsaA, rPspAΔC, and rPspCΔC (LAAC) resulted in significantly higher IgG titres than those induced by administration of nonlipidated rPsaA, rPspAΔC, and rPspCΔC (AAC). Furthermore, LAAC immunization induced the production of higher IgA titres in vaginal washes, feces, and sera in mice, indicating that LAAC can induce systemic mucosal immunity. In addition, administration of LAAC also induced Th1/Th17-biased immune responses and promoted opsonic phagocytosis of strains of various serotypes, implying that the immunogenicity of LAAC immunization provides a protective effect against pneumococcal infection. Importantly, challenge data showed that the LAAC-immunized mice had a reduced bacterial load not only for several serotypes of the 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) but also for selected non-PCV13 serotypes. Consistently, LAAC immunization increased the survival rate of mice after bacterial challenge with both PCV13 and non-PCV13 serotypes. In conclusion, our protein-based pneumococcal vaccine provides protective effects against a broad spectrum of serotypes.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Female; Mice; Animals; Aged; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Immunity, Mucosal; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Pneumococcal Infections; Immunization; Antibodies, Bacterial
PubMed: 37855122
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2272656 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021(also called pneumococcus) is not only a commensal that frequently colonizes the human upper respiratory tract but also a pathogen that causes pneumonia, sepsis, and... (Review)
Review
(also called pneumococcus) is not only a commensal that frequently colonizes the human upper respiratory tract but also a pathogen that causes pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. The mechanism of pneumococcal infection has been extensively studied, but the process of transmission has not been fully elucidated because of the lack of tractable animal models. Novel animal models of transmission have enabled further progress in investigating pneumococcal transmission mechanisms including the processes such as pneumococcal shedding, survival in the external environment, and adherence to the nasopharynx of a new host. Herein, we present a review on these animal models, recent research findings about pneumococcal transmission, and factors influencing the host-pneumococcus interaction.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Meningitis; Nasopharynx; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumonia; Streptococcus pneumoniae
PubMed: 33996623
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.639450 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Nov 2019Increased nasopharyngeal pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) colonization density has been associated with invasive pneumococcal disease, but factors that increase...
Increased nasopharyngeal pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) colonization density has been associated with invasive pneumococcal disease, but factors that increase pneumococcal density are poorly understood. We evaluated pneumococcal densities in nasopharyngeal samples from asymptomatic young children from Peru and their association with subsequent acute respiratory illness (ARI). Total pneumococcal densities (encompassing all present serotypes) during asymptomatic periods were significantly higher when a respiratory virus was detected versus when no virus was detected (p<0.001). In adjusted analyses, increased pneumococcal density was significantly associated with the risk for a subsequent ARI (p<0.001), whereas asymptomatic viral detection alone was associated with lower risk for subsequent ARI. These findings suggest that interactions between viruses and pneumococci in the nasopharynx during asymptomatic periods might have a role in onset of subsequent ARI. The mechanisms for these interactions, along with other potentially associated host and environmental factors, and their role in ARI pathogenesis and pneumococcal transmission require further elucidation.
Topics: Asymptomatic Diseases; Child; Child, Preschool; Coinfection; Female; Humans; Male; Nasopharynx; Pneumococcal Infections; Public Health Surveillance; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Streptococcus pneumoniae
PubMed: 31625844
DOI: 10.3201/eid2511.190157