Nasopharyngeal colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is an important precondition for the development of pneumococcal pneumonia. At the same time, nasopharyngeal colonization with Spn has been shown to mount adaptive immune responses against Spn in mice and humans.
Where does Strep Pneumo colonize?
Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as pneumococcus) is a Gram-positive, extracellular, opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the mucosal surfaces of the human upper respiratory tract (URT).
What infections does Streptococcus pneumoniae cause?
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of middle ear infections, sepsis (blood infection) in children and pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. It can also cause meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord) or sinus infections.
What is the colony morphology of Streptococcus pneumoniae?
Streptococcus pneumoniae colonies vary in appearance depending on the degree of encapsulation of the organism. Heavily encapsulated strains can have large colonies, several millimeters in diameter, which appear gray and very mucoid, while less heavily encapsulated organisms usually have smaller colonies.
What is the nasopharyngeal?
The nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat (pharynx) that lies behind the nose. It’s a box-like chamber about 1½ inches on each edge. It lies just above the soft part of the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and just in back of the nasal passages.
How is Streptococcus pneumonia transmitted?
Transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae occurs as the result of direct person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets. The pneumococcal serotypes most often responsible for causing infection are those most frequently found in carriers.
How does Streptococcus pneumoniae move in the body?
Spread of pneumococcal disease Many people carry Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria in their nose and throat. The bacteria are transferred to another person through droplets of saliva or mucus, such as when a ‘carrier’ sneezes, coughs, shares toys or kisses someone.
How does Streptococcus bacteria enter the body?
These bacteria are spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected people or by contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin. The risk of spreading the infection is highest when a person is ill, such as when people have “strep throat” or an infected wound.
On what basis colony morphology is judged?
Colonies are described on the basis of size, shape, texture, elevation, pigmentation, and effect on growth medium.
What is the relationship between Streptococcus pneumoniae and its host?
Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniaeas a complex relationship with its obligate human host. On the one hand, the pneumococci are highly adapted commensals, and their main reservoir on the mucosal surface of the upper airways of carriers enables transmission.
Is Pseudomonas pneumoniae an invasive disease?
Dissemination beyond its niche along the nasal epithelium, either by aspiration, bacteraemia or local spread, can lead to invasive diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media. In 2017, the WHO included S. pneumoniaeas one of 12 priority pathogens.
What is the prevalence of S pneumoniae in the US?
Up to 27–65% of children and <10% of adults are carriers of S. pneumoniaeand carriage involves a commensal relationship between the bacterium and the host1,2. Local spread, aspiration or seeding to the bloodstream results in invasive inflammatory diseases3(Fig. 1).
