Open AccessCharacterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from children with otitis media
Author(s) -
Onwubiko Chinwendu,
Shires Courtney,
Quin Lisa R.,
Swiatlo Edwin,
McDaniel Larry S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2007.00245.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus pneumoniae , otitis , serotype , typing , acute otitis media , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , pneumococcal infections , pneumococcal vaccine , immunology , medicine , virology , antibiotics , genetics
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main causative agent of acute otitis media in children. Serotype‐based vaccines have provided some protection against otitis media, but not as much as anticipated, demonstrating the need for alternative vaccine options. Pneumococcal otitis media isolates were obtained from children 5 years old or younger from hospitals around Mississippi in the prevaccine era (1999–2000). These isolates were compared by capsular typing, pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) family typing, antibiotic susceptibility, and DNA fingerprinting. Our study shows that there is great genetic variability among pneumococcal clinical isolates of otitis media, except with regard to PspA. Therefore, efforts focused on the development of a PspA‐based pneumococcal vaccine would be well placed.