Genomic investigation of the population structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 3 isolated from invasive pneumococcal disease in Brazil

• Grant number: 21/14465-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Samanta Cristine Grassi Almeida
• Grantee: Samanta Cristine Grassi Almeida
• Host Institution: Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Paula Silva de Lemos ; Carlos Henrique Camargo ; Maria Cristina de Cunto Brandileone ; Monique Ribeiro Tiba Casas

Abstract

In 2010, Brazil was the first country to introduce the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) into a national immunization program for children under 2 years of age. It is well documented that introduction of PCVs has resulted in a shift in the epidemiology of the invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). The selective pressure exerted by the vaccine resulted in the replacement of serotypes present in PCV10 by non-vaccine serotypes and in the emergence of new clones as an escape mechanism from the vaccine response. These phenomena demonstrate the necessity of constant surveillance to detect possible changes in the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of S. pneumoniae isolates. Currently, serotype 3 is one of the most prevalent among IPD in Brazil, and it is also a common cause of IPD in countries that have introduced PCV13 in their immunization programs. Molecular studies of S. pneumoniae serotype 3 demonstrated a worldwide prevalence of clonal complex 180 (CC180) isolates. The objective of the study will be to investigate the invasive isolates of serotype 3, carrying out genomic surveillance of this serotype in isolates received from 2009 at the IAL by the national surveillance system of IPD and which, preferably, present antimicrobial resistance. Data will be obtained from the complete genome sequencing and will be used for in silico analysis to monitor possible changes in genetic lineages and the circulation of multidrug-resistant clones after the introduction of PCV10. (AU)