Surveillance for pneumococcal disease, Bangladesh: mplications for prevention

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading cause of childhood pneumonia worldwide. New, safe effective vaccines have been developed, but the burden of pneumococcus in Bangladesh is unclear. We conducted surveillance for pneumococcus at seven hospitals and two community sites in Bangladesh. Between April 2004 and February 2006 we identified 117 isolates of pneumococcus from blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture. All seven hospitals and both community sites identified patients with invasive pneumococcal disease. Most strains (72%) were resistant to co-trimoxazole. Fifty-eight percent of strains identified in community surveillance would be covered by the 9-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine would be expected to meaningfully improve child survival in Bangladesh.