Abstract
BackgroundNasopharyngeal colonisation with clinically relevant bacterial pathogens is a risk factor for severe infections, such as pneumonia and bacteraemia. In this study, we investigated the determinants of nasopharyngeal carriage in febrile patients in rural Burkina Faso.MethodsFrom March 2016 to June 2017, we recruited 924 paediatric and adult patients presenting with fever, hypothermia or suspicion of severe infection to the Centre Medical avec Antenne Chirurgicale Saint Camille de Nanoro, Burkina Faso. We recorded a broad range of clinical data, collected nasopharyngeal swabs and tested them for the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Using logistic regression, we investigated the determinants of carriage and aimed to find correlations with clinical outcome.ResultsNasopharyngeal colonisation with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis was highly prevalent and strongly dependent on age and season. Females were less likely to be colonised with S. pneumoniae (OR 0.71, p = 0.022, 95% CI 0.53–0.95) and M. catarrhalis (OR 0.73, p = 0.044, 95% CI 0.54–0.99) than males. Colonisation rates were highest in the age groups < 1 year and 1–2 years of age and declined with increasing age. Colonisation also declined towards the end of the rainy season and rose again during the beginning of the dry season. K. pneumoniae prevalence was low and not significantly correlated with age or season. For S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, we found a positive association between nasopharyngeal carriage and clinical pneumonia [OR 1.75, p = 0.008, 95% CI 1.16–2.63 (S. pneumoniae) and OR 1.90, p = 0.004, 95% CI 1.23–2.92 (H. influenzae)]. S. aureus carriage was correlated with mortality (OR 4.01, p < 0.001, 95% CI 2.06–7.83), independent of bacteraemia caused by this bacterium.ConclusionsAge, sex and season are important determinants of nasopharyngeal colonisation with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis in patients with fever in Burkina Faso. S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae carriage is associated with clinical pneumonia and S. aureus carriage is associated with mortality in patients with fever. These findings may help to understand the dynamics of colonisation and the associated transmission of these pathogens. Furthermore, understanding the determinants of nasopharyngeal colonisation and the association with disease could potentially improve the diagnosis of febrile patients.
Highlights
Nasopharyngeal colonisation with clinically relevant bacterial pathogens is a risk factor for severe infections, such as pneumonia and bacteraemia
Understanding the determinants of nasopharyngeal colonisation and the association with disease could potentially improve the diagnosis of febrile patients
After adjustment for age and month of inclusion, females were overall less likely to be colonised with S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis than males
Summary
Nasopharyngeal colonisation with clinically relevant bacterial pathogens is a risk factor for severe infections, such as pneumonia and bacteraemia. The human nasopharynx is the main reservoir for wellknown respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis [1,2,3] It is a secondary reservoir for Staphylococcus aureus, which preferentially colonises the nares but can be found throughout the respiratory tract as well as the gastrointestinal tract and the skin [4]. Klebsiella pneumoniae, a microorganism that primarily colonises the gastrointestinal tract, is occasionally found in the nasopharynx and is an important cause of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in low-income countries [5,6,7]. Nasopharyngeal carriage of these bacteria is usually harmless and asymptomatic. The human nasopharynx acts as a hub from where these pathogens are transmitted to other people, leading to spread within the population
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