Experimental Human Pneumococcal Colonization in Older Adults Is Feasible and Safe, Not Immunogenic.

ABSTRACT: Rationale: Pneumococcal colonization is key to the pathogenesis of invasive disease but is also immunogenic in young adults, protecting against recolonization. Colonization is rarely detected in older adults, despite high rates of pneumococcal disease.Objectives: To establish experimental human pneumococcal colonization in healthy adults aged 50-84 years, to measure the immune response to pneumococcal challenge, and to assess the protective effect of prior colonization against autologous strain rechallenge.Methods: Sixty-four participants were inoculated with Streptococcus pneumoniae (serotype 6B; 80,000 cfu in each nostril). Colonization was determined by bacterial culture of nasal wash, and humoral immune responses were assessed by anticapsular and antiprotein

SUBMITTER: Adler H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7924584 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature