Use of Pneumococcal Disease Epidemiology to Set Policy and Prevent Disease during 20 Years of the Emerging Infections Program

Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction Among Patients With Laboratory-Confirmed Invasive Pneumococcal Disease: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) events have been reported among patients with certain viral and bacterial infections. Whether invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) increases the risk of AMI remains unclear. We examined whether laboratory-confirmed IPD was associated with the risk of AMI.

METHODS

We conducted a self-controlled case series analysis among adult Tennessee residents with evidence of an AMI hospitalization (2003-2019). Patient follow-up started 1 year before the earliest AMI and continued through the date of death, 1 year after AMI, or study end (December 2019). Periods for AMI assessment included the 7 to 1 days before IPD specimen collection (pre-IPD detection), day 0 through day 7 after IPD specimen collection (current IPD), day 8 to 28 after IPD specimen collection (post-IPD), and a control period (all other follow-up). We used conditional Poisson regression to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each risk period compared with control periods using within-person comparisons.

RESULTS

We studied 324 patients hospitalized for AMI with laboratory-confirmed IPD within 1 year before or after the AMI hospitalization. The incidence of AMI was significantly higher during the pre-IPD detection (IRR, 10.29; 95% CI: 6.33-16.73) and the current IPD (IRR, 92.95; 95% CI: 72.17-119.71) periods but nonsignificantly elevated in the post-IPD risk period (IRR, 1.83; 95% CI: .86-3.91) compared with control periods. The AMI incidence was higher in the post-IPD control period (29 to 365 days after IPD; IRR, 2.95; 95% CI: 2.01-4.32).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalizations with AMI were strongly associated with laboratory-confirmed IPD.

Potential impact of introducing the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into national immunisation programmes: an economic-epidemiological analysis using data from India

Pneumococcal pneumonia causes an estimated 105 000 child deaths in India annually. The planned introduction of the serotype-based pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is expected to avert child deaths, but the high cost of PCV relative to current vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Programme has been a concern. Cost-effectiveness studies from high-income countries are not readily comparable because of differences in the distribution of prevalent serotypes, population and health systems. We extended IndiaSim, our agent-based simulation model representative of the Indian population and health system, to model the dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This enabled us to evaluate serotype and overall disease dynamics in the context of the local population and health system, an aspect that is missing in prospective evaluations of the vaccine. We estimate that PCV13 introduction would cost approximately US$240 million and avert US$48.7 million in out-of-pocket expenditures and 34 800 (95% CI 29 600 to 40 800) deaths annually assuming coverage levels and distribution similar to DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccination (~77%). Introducing the vaccine protects the population, especially the poorest wealth quintile, from potentially catastrophic expenditure. The net-present value of predicted money-metric value of insurance for 20 years of vaccination is US$160 000 (95% CI US$151 000 to US$168 000) per 100 000 under-fives, and almost half of this protection is for the bottom wealth quintile (US$78 000; 95% CI 70 800 to 84 400). Extending vaccination to 90% coverage averts additional lives and provides additional financial risk protection. Our estimates are sensitive to immunity parameters in our model; however, our assumptions are conservative, and if willingness to pay per years of life lost averted is US$228 or greater, then introducing the vaccine is more cost-effective than our baseline (no vaccination) in more than 95% of simulations.

Childhood pneumococcal disease in Africa - A systematic review and meta-analysis of incidence, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility

BACKGROUND

Determining the incidence, disease-associated serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among children in Africa is essential in order to monitor the impact of these infections prior to widespread introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).

METHODS

To provide updated estimates of the incidence, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing disease in Africa, we performed a systematic review of articles published from 2000 to 2015 using Ovid Medline and Embase. We included prospective and surveillance studies that applied predefined diagnostic criteria. Meta-analysis for all pooled analyses was based on random-effects models.

RESULTS

We included 38 studies consisting of 386,880 participants in 21 countries over a total of 350,613 person-years. The pooled incidence of IPD was 62.6 (95% CI 16.9, 226.5) per 100,000 person-years, including meningitis which had a pooled incidence of 24.7 (95% CI 11.9, 51.6) per 100,000 person-years. The pooled prevalence of penicillin susceptibility was 78.1% (95% CI 61.9, 89.2). Cumulatively, PCV10 and PCV13 included 66.9% (95% CI 55.9, 76.7) and 80.6% (95% CI 66.3, 90.5) of IPD serotypes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides an integrated and robust summary of incidence data, serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility for S. pneumoniae in children ≤5years of age in Africa prior to widespread introduction of PCV on the continent. The heterogeneity of studies and wide range of incidence rates across the continent indicate that surveillance efforts should be intensified in all regions of Africa to improve the integrity of epidemiologic data, vaccine impact and cost benefit. Although the incidence of IPD in young children in Africa is substantial, currently available conjugate vaccines are estimated to cover the majority of invasive disease-causing pneumococcal serotypes. These data provide a reliable baseline from which to monitor the impact of the broad introduction of PCV.

Pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage in children <5 years of age visiting the pediatric emergency room in relation to PCV7 and PCV13 introduction in southern Israel

The 7-valent and the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV7 and PCV13, respectively) were introduced to the Israeli National Immunization plan in July 2009 and November 2010, respectively. Our aim was to assess pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) uptake and dynamics in serotype-specific pneumococcal nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage in children <5  years old in southern Israel, during the immediate 5 y following PCV introduction. This was an ongoing, prospective, population-based, active surveillance, from July 2009 through December 2014. PCVs uptake and NP cultures were obtained daily from children seen at the Pediatric Emergency Room for any reason. Overall, 10,702 vaccine status and 7,610 NP swabs were obtained. Both PCV7 and PCV13 uptake were high, reaching ˜90% by July 2012 and December 2013, respectively. All-pneumococcal carriage rates significantly declined by 10%, from 54.3% in the early-PCV7 period, to 49.1% in the PCV13 impact period. The respective declines for PCV7, 6A and additional PCV13 serotypes carriage rates were 76%, 90% and 66%. In contrast, non-PCV13 serotypes carriage rates increased significantly throughout the study by 71%. All-pneumococcal carriage rates in children <12  months old decreased significantly by 15%, with similar trends observed in other age groups. Initially, all-pneumococcal carriage rates were 45.7%, and 61.9% in Jewish and Bedouin children, respectively (P < 0.001), with a significant 17% reduction throughout the study observed only in Bedouins. While early carriage rates were higher in unvaccinated children compared to vaccinated children, PCV impact on carriage were similar in both groups. In conclusion, a relatively moderate decline in pneumococcal carriage rates, facilitated by a substantial decrease of vaccine-serotypes and increase of non-vaccine serotypes was observed in the immediate period following PCVs introduction in southern Israel.

The multifaceted impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine implementation in children in France between 2001 to 2014

In 2003, France was the first European country to recommend 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) for a large proportion of healthy children. With complicated recommendations, the vaccine coverage during the first 4 y of implementation was low, then progressively increased to reach 90% in 2008. The aim of this review was to describe the particular impact of PCVs in a country where the vaccine coverage was initially suboptimal. After PCV7 implementation, the PCV7 serotypes nearly disappeared among pneumococci isolated from meningitis (-73%), other invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD; -90%) and pneumococcal carriage (-97%). Consequently, the rates of penicillin-resistant strains declined. However, because of important serotype replacement, the global effect on the incidence of meningitis (-31%) or other IPD (-14%) was modest and observed only in young children < 2 y old. After PCV13 transition, with immediate high vaccine coverage, the vaccine had an important impact on all pneumococcal disease: reduction of -20% for pneumococcal meningitis, -36% for non-meningitis IPD, -32% for community acquired pneumonia and -15% for S. pneumoniae carriage. These findings underline the complexity of pneumococcal epidemiology and the importance of high and fast vaccination coverage to obtain the optimal effect of PCVs.

Pneumococcal vaccination

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pneumococcal diseases (invasive diseases, pneumonia, otitis media, and sinusitis) are among the most frequent preventable infectious diseases carrying a very high morbidity and case fatality rate worldwide. Pneumococcal vaccination is a key element to reduce the global burden of the disease in children and adult population. Our aim is to discuss current knowledge of the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal vaccines.

RECENT FINDINGS

After the introduction of conjugate vaccines (PCV7 and PCV13), rates of pneumococcal diseases because of vaccine serotypes have decreased considerably among children in the vaccine target and among nonvaccinated children and adults. Results of the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Immunization Trial in Adults demonstrated 45.6% efficacy of PCV13 against the first episode of pneumonia, 45% against first-episode nonbacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, and 75% against the first episode of invasive pneumococcal diseases in adults older than 65 years. Recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination have changed recently in both the United States and Europe.

SUMMARY

The changing epidemiology of pneumococcal diseases should be closely investigated to assess the effectiveness and the usefulness of the current vaccination policies, and to identify future directions for preventing pneumococcal infections.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in adults: Let's see what happens

The recent recommendation for the use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in adults 65 y of age and older, provides a new tool for preventing disease in this at-risk population. The conjugate vaccine induces a T-cell dependent response, which distinguishes it from the polysaccharide vaccine and could provide the longer-term protection necessary to have a significant impact in this population.

Should Committees That Write Guidelines and Recommendations Publish Dissenting Opinions?

Medical guidelines tend to convey a sense of unanimity of opinion that may not reflect the deliberations of the experts who wrote them. Using, as an example, an analysis of the recently published recommendations on administering pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to adults, the present article raises the question of whether official recommendations and guidelines should include dissenting opinions, analogous to decisions issued by the US Supreme Court. The argument that such a policy would lead to confusion in our profession is addressed in 2 ways: (1) the current system, in which different professional societies publish conflicting recommendations, as in the case of breast or prostate cancer screening, can be far more confusing, and (2) in the long run, greater transparency will lead to more thoughtful and higher-quality medical care. Perhaps the most important point of this paper is the suggestion that it is far better to bring dissent into the recommendation process than to act as if it is not there.