Standard method for detecting upper respiratory carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae: Updated recommendations from the World Health Organization Pneumococcal Carriage Working Group

Catherine Satzke, Paul Turner, Anni Virolainen-Julkunen, Peter V. Adrian, Martin Antonio, Kim M. Hare, Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo, Amanda J. Leach, Keith P. Klugman, Barbara D. Porter, Raquel Sá-Leão, J. Anthony Scott, Hanna Nohynek, Katherine L. O'Brien

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

222 Scopus citations

Abstract

In 2003 the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a working group and published a set of standard methods for studies measuring nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus). The working group recently reconvened under the auspices of the WHO and updated the consensus standard methods. These methods describe the collection, transport and storage of nasopharyngeal samples, as well as provide recommendations for the identification and serotyping of pneumococci using culture and non-culture based approaches. We outline the consensus position of the working group, the evidence supporting this position, areas worthy of future research, and the epidemiological role of carriage studies. Adherence to these methods will reduce variability in the conduct of pneumococcal carriage studies undertaken in the context of pneumococcal vaccine trials, implementation studies, and epidemiology studies more generally so variability in methodology does not confound the interpretation of study findings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)165-179
Number of pages15
JournalVaccine
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 17 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carriage
  • Colonization
  • Nasopharynx
  • Pneumococcus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Veterinary
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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