Characterization of pneumococcal strains circulating at the human-wildlife interface in rural sub-Saharan Africa to inform One Health initiatives
Lower respiratory tract infections are among the leading causes of death for children under five in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common causative agent. Beyond its public health impact, Streptococcus pneumoniae has been shown to have implications for the conservation of endangered species, as humans have inadvertently transmitted the bacteria to wild great apes resulting in lethal outbreaks. Understanding serotype diversity and antimicrobial resistance at a local scale can guide tailored public health interventions, such as the selection of appropriate vaccines and antibiotic treatment, which can reduce disease burden and the risk of transmission to wild great apes. We conducted genomic characterization of pneumococcal strains carried asymptomatically by humans living and working in proximity to great apes in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, and Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. A total of 467 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and 38 pneumococcal strains were isolated directly in the field using a solar-powered incubator. We revealed the circulation of diverse serotypes, including both vaccine- and non-vaccine types. Many isolates showed resistance to major antibiotics with one isolate resistant to penicillin.  To our knowledge, this constitutes the first characterization of pneumococcal strains from the human-wildlife interface and the first whole-genome sequencing data of pneumococcal isolates from the Central African Republic and Côte d'Ivoire, providing a basis for targeted vaccination and antibiotic stewardship within a One Health framework.
Lower respiratory tract infections are among the leading causes of death for children under five in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common causative agent. Beyond its public health impact, Streptococcus pneumoniae has been shown to have implications for the conservation of endangered species, as humans have inadvertently transmitted the bacteria to wild great apes resulting in lethal outbreaks. Understanding serotype diversity and antimicrobial resistance at a local scale can guide tailored public health interventions, such as the selection of appropriate vaccines and antibiotic treatment, which can reduce disease burden and the risk of transmission to wild great apes. We conducted genomic characterization of pneumococcal strains carried asymptomatically by humans living and working in proximity to great apes in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, and Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. A total of 467 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and 38 pneumococcal strains were isolated directly in the field using a solar-powered incubator. We revealed the circulation of diverse serotypes, including both vaccine- and non-vaccine types. Many isolates showed resistance to major antibiotics with one isolate resistant to penicillin.  To our knowledge, this constitutes the first characterization of pneumococcal strains from the human-wildlife interface and the first whole-genome sequencing data of pneumococcal isolates from the Central African Republic and Côte d'Ivoire, providing a basis for targeted vaccination and antibiotic stewardship within a One Health framework.
Helmholtz Institute for One Health