Nasopharyngeal Streptococcus Pneumoniae Carriage

An Evaluation of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype Carriage Rate for Nasopharyngeal Carriage in Taiwanese Children Attending Pediatric Clinics in Hospitals, Day Care Centers, or Kindergartens

Primary Objective: Evaluation of the

- Carriage rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the nasopharynx of children

Secondary Objective:

• Carriage rate and distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes
• Estimation of prevalence rate of antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains
• Distribution of Staphylococcus aureus strain
• The influence of risk factors in the Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage rate in children

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Children aged between 2 months and 5 years attending pediatric clinics in hospitals, day care centers or kindergartens.
2. Informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children younger than 2 months of age.
2. Children with following serious diseases: immunological disease, neoplastic disease, renal, cardiac or hematological disease, bronchodysplasia, Down's syndrome.