Characterization of Diagnosed Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes in COPD Patients
Abstract
<bold>Introduction:</bold> Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently complicated by bacterial infections, with Streptococcus pneumoniae playing a significant role in disease progression. Analyzing the serotype landscape of the population is crucial for epidemiological monitoring, personalized antibacterial therapy, virulence and invasiveness assessment, and the improvement or modification of existing vaccines. <bold>Methods:</bold> PCR serotyping was performed on nasopharyngeal samples from 202 COPD patients for S. pneumoniae, which was detected in 97 patients. Serotyping was conducted using a multiplex real-time PCR system. <bold>Results:</bold> In the analyzed nasopharyngeal samples, 14 distinct serotypes were identified: 1 (1.46%), 2-Prob (2.4%), 3 (0.5%), 5 (8.74%), 9L/N-Prob (7.3%), 14 (6.3%), 16-Prob (2.4%), 16F-Prob (3.1%), 17-Prob (4.1%), 19A (8.3%), 19F (6.2%), 23A (3.4%), 23F (4.3%), and 37-Prob (5.3%). Additionally, 10 serogroups were identified: 6A/6B, 6C/6D (8.4%), 7F/7A (3.5%), 9V/9A (5.8%), 11A/11D-Prob (6.3%), 12F/12A/12B/44/46-Prob (4.9%), 15A/15F-Prob (5.8%), 18C/18B/18A/18F (8.8%), 22F/22A-Prob (8.2%), 33F/33A (4.3%), 33F/33A/37-Prob (2.9%). Thus, the most prevalent serotypes and serogroups were: 5, 9L/N, 7F/7A, 11A/11D, 14, and 16F. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The comparative analysis of regional serotype prevalence and Prevenar-13 vaccine coverage revealed that only 50% of circulating serotypes and serogroups matched the vaccine formulation. This coverage is insufficient for effective prevention of pneumococcal infections (PI). Given that many patients harbor serotypes not included in the vaccine, further research is required to explore alternative vaccine modification strategies and adjunctive therapeutic approaches.