Childhood invasive pneumococcal disease in Germany between 1997 and 2003: variability in incidence and serotype distribution in absence of general pneumococcal conjugate vaccination.
Based on active prospective surveillance, we report the incidence and serotype distribution for invasive pneumococcal disease in German children between 1997 and 2003. While incidence of meningitis cases was stable over time, there was an increase in non-meningitis cases. In absence of a general pneumococcal conjugate vaccination program, there were considerable and significant changes in serotype distribution over time. These should be considered when discussing the effect of vaccination programs and related changes in serotype distribution.
Rückinger
Simon
S
University of Munich, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Germany. simon.rueckinger@med.uni-muenchen.de
von Kries
Rüdiger
R
Reinert
Ralf René
RR
van der Linden
Mark
M
Siedler
Annette
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D012703:Serotyping; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014611:Vaccination; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate