Prevalence of Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Healthy Children of 12-18 Months in 6 Cities, China

Prevalence of Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Healthy Children Aged 12-18 Months in Six Cities of China

This study is to observe the carriage rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.p.), Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib) and Moraxella catarrhalis (M.Cat.) in healthy Chinese children aged 12-18 months in order to estimate the prevalence of pathogens that commonly cause infection in Chinese young children. The antibiotic resistance of all isolates and the serotypes distribution of S.p. isolates will also be tested. Potential risk factors for nasopharyngeal carriage will be collected.

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy children aged 12-18 months

Exclusion Criteria

• Use of antibiotics up to 15 days prior to study inclusion
• Malformation or injury of the nasopharynx that makes the procedure of taking a nasopharyngeal swab impossible
• Children with chronic infectious (chronic otitis media or chronic sinusitis prior to study inclusion.
• Received any pneumococcal vaccine in the past.
• Children who have already provided a NP sample in the same study period.
• Any relevant hemorrhagic disorder.
• Any febrile process (fever ≥ 38°C) at time of screening.