Seminário de Biomatemática 11 de Novembro 2008, 16h00 Abstract: Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Still, asymptomatic colonization of the human host by this bacterium is the rule and disease the exception. The nasopharynges of young children are the primary ecological niche of S. pneumoniae. In Portugal, close to 80% of children of preschool age attend day-care centers. Studies conducted during the last decade have highlighted the important role of day-care centers as unique settings where children of young age, with immature immune systems and poor hygienic behavior are crowded together resulting in an increased risk for colonization and transmission of S. pneumoniae. Using a combination of phenotypic and genotypic typing tools we have been able to describe the population structure of S. pneumoniae colonizing Portuguese children attending day-care centers, and have recently described the impact of a seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in this population. | back |