Hands are vehicles for transmission of<i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>in novel controlled human infection study

Connor, Victoria; German, Esther L.; Pojar, Sherin; Mitsi, Elena; Hales, Caz; Nikolaou, Elissavet; Hyder-Wright, Angela; Adler, Hugh; Zaidi, Seher; Hill, Helen; Jochems, Simon P.; Burhan, Hassan; French, Neil; Tobery, Timothy W.; Rylance, Jamie; Ferreira, Daniela M.

doi:10.1183/13993003.00599-2018

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…In addition, other variables, such as frequent hand washing and mask wearing, may have significantly influenced the results. Furthermore, this study showed no decrease in pneumonia cases, which is contrary to the results of previous studies that demonstrated that measures of infection control, such as hand hygiene [21], are associated with a decrease in the incidence of pneumonia. Possible explanations for this difference include: (1) possible increase in pneumonia cases owing to the exacerbation by COVID-19 or (2) insignificant preventive effect of infection control measures, such as social distancing, on bacterial or fungal pneumonia.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Changes in Acute Respiratory Infection Before and After COVID-19

et al. 2021

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Objective: During the outbreak of COVID-19,several coping strategies were implemented including strengthened social distancing, wearing masks and hand hygiene. Thisinfection control method might have been effective for other respiratory infections; however, it had not yet been clearly revealed. Therefore,we investigatedwhetherthe incidence of infectious respiratory diseases has reduced after excluding the effect of decreased medical utilization because of COVID-19 control measures.Design or methods: We used the Korean national claims data and analyzed incidences of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and diseases except ARI. The incidence rates of winter 2019 and 2020 were compared.Results: Excluding ARI,the reduction in overall hospital visits decreased by only 2%; however,the number of visits due to ARI decreased by 13%, and the number of visits due to influenza particularly decreased by 26%.Conclusions: Using national database, this study confirmed that a significant reduction in ARI, including influenza, occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection control measures including nationally enforced social distancing may be effective in controlling the transmission of other respiratory infections. Further studies are necessary to clarify the causal relationship.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Changes in Acute Respiratory Infection Before and After COVID-19

et al. 2021

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“…Bacterial DNA Extraction and Quantification of Pneumococcal DNA in Nasal and Lung Samples Extraction of bacterial DNA from NPS and BAL samples was performed as previously described with minor modifications (29). Presence of pneumococcal DNA in NPS and BAL samples was determined using primers and probe specifically designed for 6B serotype, targeting a capsular polysaccharide gene known as wciP, the rhamnosyl transferase gene.…”

Section: Am Opsonophagocytic Assaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Nasal Pneumococcal Density Is Associated with Microaspiration and Heightened Human Alveolar Macrophage Responsiveness to Bacterial Pathogens

Mitsi

Carniel

Reiné

et al. 2020

Am J Respir Crit Care Med

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Rationale: Pneumococcal pneumonia remains a global health problem. Colonization of the nasopharynx with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), although a prerequisite of infection, is the main source of exposure and immunological boosting in children and adults. However, our knowledge of how nasal colonization impacts on the lung cells, especially on the predominant alveolar macrophage (AM) population, is limited.Objectives: Using a controlled human infection model to achieve nasal colonization with 6B serotype, we investigated the effect of Spn colonization on lung cells.Methods: We collected BAL from healthy pneumococcalchallenged participants aged 18-49 years. Confocal microscopy and molecular and classical microbiology were used to investigate microaspiration and pneumococcal presence in the lower airways. AM opsonophagocytic capacity was assessed by functional assays in vitro, whereas flow cytometry and transcriptomic analysis were used to assess further changes on the lung cellular populations.Measurements and Main Results: AMs from Spn-colonized individuals exhibited increased opsonophagocytosis to pneumococcus (11.4% median increase) for approximately 3 months after experimental pneumococcal colonization. AMs also had increased responses against other bacterial pathogens. Pneumococcal DNA detected in the BAL samples of Spncolonized individuals were positively correlated with nasal pneumococcal density (r = 0.71; P = 0.029). Similarly, AMheightened opsonophagocytic capacity was correlated with nasopharyngeal pneumococcal density (r = 0.61, P = 0.025).Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that nasal colonization with pneumococcus and microaspiration prime AMs, leading to brisker responsiveness to both pneumococcus and unrelated bacterial pathogens. The relative abundance of AMs in the alveolar spaces, alongside their potential for nonspecific protection, render them an attractive target for novel vaccines.

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“…Nonetheless, our findings indicate that commonly touched objects are potential hotspots which can facilitate the exchange of microbes during direct hand contact, thus increasing the children’s risk of exposure to potential microbial hazards. In particular, S. pneumoniae , which was identified in 93% of all child palms in this study, have been demonstrated to spread through direct physical contact and lead to acquisition of nasopharyngeal colonization, potentially increasing the possibility of infection ( Connor et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Species-Resolved Metagenomics of Kindergarten Microbiomes Reveal Microbial Admixture Within Sites and Potential Microbial Hazards

Tzehau¹,

Chew²,

Zhao³

et al. 2022

Front. Microbiol.

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Microbiomes on surfaces in kindergartens, the intermediate transfer medium for microbial exchange, can exert significant impact on the hygiene and wellbeing of young children, both individually and as a community. Here employing 2bRAD-M, a novel species-resolved metagenomics approach for low-biomass microbiomes, we surveyed over 100 samples from seven frequently contacted surfaces by children, plus individual children’s palms, in two kindergartens. Microbiome compositions, although kindergarten-specific, were grouped closely based on the type of surface within each kindergarten. Extensive microbial admixture were found among the various sampled sites, likely facilitated by contact with children’s hands. Notably, bacterial species with potential human health concerns and potentially antibiotic-resistant, although found across all sampled locations, were predominantly enriched on children’s hands instead of on the environmental sites. This first species-resolved kindergarten microbiome survey underscores the importance of good hand hygiene practices in kindergartens and provides insights into better managing hygiene levels and minimizing spread of harmful microbes in susceptible indoor environments.

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Hands are vehicles for transmission ofStreptococcus pneumoniaein novel controlled human infection study

Cited by 15 publications

References 16 publications

Changes in Acute Respiratory Infection Before and After COVID-19

Changes in Acute Respiratory Infection Before and After COVID-19

Nasal Pneumococcal Density Is Associated with Microaspiration and Heightened Human Alveolar Macrophage Responsiveness to Bacterial Pathogens

Species-Resolved Metagenomics of Kindergarten Microbiomes Reveal Microbial Admixture Within Sites and Potential Microbial Hazards

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