According to the WHO pneumococcal infections are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in children.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of pneumococcal isolates belonging to serotypes covered by 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (7vPCV) isolated from invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in the Malopolska region of Poland in the years 2000-2008.
Material and methods: Retrospective clinical and microbiological analysis was performed on invasive, laboratory confirmed pneumococcal cases in the Malopolska region, between 2000-2008.
Results: During the study period there were 28 cases of IPD in children under 15 years of age in the Malopolska region. Most of the cases were diagnosed as meningitis, there were also cases of bacteraemic pneumonia and sepsis. The most common serotypes found during the study were: 14, 19F, 6B and 23F. Pneumococcal 7vPCV vaccine coverage among all cases was 78.0% and among children under 5 it was 94.0%. Nine isolates (32.1%) showed decreased susceptibility to penicillin. There were three fatal cases (CFR=10.7%) due to isolates of serotypes 19F, 23 F and 6B. In the six cases of meningitis, serious and lasting sequels were observed. All complicated and fatal cases as well as the cases caused by isolates with decreased susceptibility to penicillin were caused by serotypes covered by 7vPCV.
Conclusions: The most serious cases of invasive pneumococcal infections in Malopolska region were caused by isolates of serotypes covered by 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine. The results of this study prove the advantages of wide usage of the pneumococcal vaccine in the Polish population children.