Shifting Pneumococcal Serotypes

In Massachusetts, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal infection fell after introduction of the heptavalent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine, then stabilized because of infections from nonvaccine serotypes.

The serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae contained in the heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) were chosen because they were responsible for most of the pneumococcal infections in target populations. Do serotype shifts since the February 2000 introduction of PCV7 necessitate changes in the makeup of the vaccines?

Using records from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, researchers — funded by the U.S. manufacturer of PCV7 — examined the serotypes underlying invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among children in that state from October 2001 through September 2007. Since 2003, approximately 90% of the state's children aged 19 to 35 months have received ≥3 doses of PCV7.

During the study period, 569 IPD cases were reported …

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Shifting Pneumococcal Serotypes

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Reviewing Author