Pneumococcal Colonization and the Nasopharyngeal Microbiota of Children in Botswana.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nasopharyngeal colonization precedes infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. A more detailed understanding of interactions between S. pneumoniae and the nasopharyngeal microbiota of children could inform strategies to prevent pneumococcal infections.

Methods

We collected nasopharyngeal swabs from children 1 to 23 months of age in Botswana between August 2012 and June 2016. We tested samples for S. pneumoniae and common respiratory viruses using polymerase chain reaction. We sequenced the V3 region of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene and used random forest models to identify clinical variables and bacterial genera that were associated with pneumococcal colonization.

Results

Mean age of the 170 children included in this study was 8.3 months. Ninety

SUBMITTER: Kelly MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6181769 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature