Surveillance of Non-invasive Streptococcus Pneumoniae Infections in Belgium

A 20-months Surveillance of Non-invasive Streptococcus Pneumoniae Infections in Belgium to Evaluate National Vaccination Strategy

The investigators will conduct a prospective observational study of non-invasive S. pneumoniae infections in Belgium and characterize serotype distributions to evaluate national vaccination programs.

The investigators will conduct a surveillance of non-invasive S. pneumoniae infections in Belgium (September 2020-May 2025). Monthly, 12 peripheral hospitals will send the first 15 unduplicated clinical S. pneumoniae samples (coming from patients diagnosed with pneumonia, otitits media or sinusitis) to the investigators. The investigators will determine the serotype and the antibiotic resistance profile of these clinical isolates. Whole genome sequencing will be performed on a subset of these isolates.

From May 2021, 13 extra participating centers have been added to the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients living in Belgium at the time of the study,
• from whom unduplicated S. pneumoniae isolates were collected in routine practices,
• from non-invasive upper (e.g.: pus/fluid from nasal sinus or from otitis media fluid) or lower respiratory tract (e.g. sputum bronchial or endotracheal aspirate, bronchoalveolar fluid (BAL),…) clinical samples,
• from patients diagnosed with pneumonia, sinusitis and otitis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients for whom S. pneumoniae was simultaneously isolated from blood or another usually sterile specimen