Children contact major risk for adult pneumococcal disease

A recent research shows that

adults admitted to hospital during school holidays are 38 percent more

likely to have pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) than

those admitted during term time.

Child contact is a risk factor for adult pneumococcal disease.

In this research, the authors hypothesised that school holidays would

be associated with increased rates of adult non-invasive pneumococcal

CAP, due to changes in child contact patterns and transmission of

Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Between September 2008 and 2013, adults admitted with CAP to 2

hospitals that covered the catchment area of Greater Nottingham, were

studied prospectively.

Of 2,221 individuals, 643 (29.0 percent) were diagnosed with pneumococcal CAP.

Of those with pneumococcal CAP, 203 (31.5 percent) were admitted

during school holiday periods.

Admission during school holidays was independently associated with a

diagnosis of pneumococcal CAP, after adjustment for variables

including child contact.

There was a 35 percent increase in the age-adjusted incidence rate of

adult pneumococcal CAP during school holidays compared to term time.

Lead author Daniel said, "Our results demonstrate a higher incidence

of pneumococcal CAP in adults hospitalised during school holiday

periods compared to term-time. Duration and intensity of child contact

may play an important role in pneumococcal disease transmission to

adults, however, as this is an observational analysis causality cannot

be assumed."

"Social interactions between adults and children seem to be important

in relation to rates of pneumococcal pneumonia. Adults at higher risk

of developing severe pneumococcal pneumonia may benefit from being

vaccinated in accordance with current national guidelines," she added.

The study was presented at European Respiratory Society (ERS)

International Congress in London.