Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with pneumonia and Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype distribution at Hai Phong Children’s Hospital, Vietnam

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a major cause of pneumonia in pediatric health concerns. Effective vaccination strategies depend on understanding serotype distribution and its correlation with clinical manifestations. This study aims to describe the serotype distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains at Hai Phong Children’s Hospital, Vietnam. Conducted at Hai Phong Children’s Hospital in Vietnam from November 2022 to September 2023, our cross-sectional study enrolled 428 pediatric pneumonia patients. Nasopharyngeal fluid specimens were collected to isolate S. pneumoniae by culture and confirmed by Real-time PCR. S. pneumoniae serotyping was performed by realtime PCR. Medical records provided symptom and medical history data. Out of 428 samples, 66.8% tested positive for S. pneumoniae. Among confirmed cases by real-time PCR, 82.6% were typeable, with predominant serotypes being 6A/B (16.4%), 19F (14.9%), 15B/C (11.4%), 19A (11.0%), and 15A/15F (7.8%). Notably, 70.7% of strains belonged to vaccine-covered serotypes. Cough (96.5%), tachypnea (78.7%), fever (56.1%), and wheezing (52.8%) were the most frequent symptoms. Notably, cough, tachypnea, wheezing, and chest indrawing (29.0%) significantly correlated with pneumococcal pneumonia. Positive S. pneumoniae cultures also correlated with chest X-ray findings. Our study reveals a high prevalence of S. pneumoniae in pediatric patients with pneumonia in Vietnam. Insights into serotype distribution, clinical characteristics of pneumonia cases offer valuable guidance for optimizing vaccination programs and enhancing disease management.