Ntrafamily Transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the Protective Power of Vaccination

Abstract

In May 2010 a young boy (16 months) developed clinical signs of conjunctivitis, a running nose and a cough. In a swab taken from the conjunctiva a mucoid Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotype 3) could be grown. Subsequently his father became severely ill with high fevers and bronchitis. A mucoid Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotype 3) could be isolated from the purulent sputum. The mother of the boy who took care of both patients did not develop any clinical symptoms. At the time of the onset of disease the boy already had completed the locally recommended basic vaccination routine against pneumococci (4 injections, 3×PCV7, 1×PCV13). The father of the boy was not vaccinated against pneumococci. The mother had been vaccinated against pneumococci in 2006 (PPV23). The likely origin of the serotype 3 strain is the day-care group of the boy consisting of four children altogether.