Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia and bacterial meningitis in children. Although pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are commonly available, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) still remains a life-threatening complication. Serotype 19A has high invasive potential and is capable of causing extensive and destructive lung disease. This strain has greater invasive potential, may have a growth advantage over other pneumococcal serotypes in normally sterile sites, and is often resistant to multiple antibiotics. Although being a component of PCV13 vaccine, serotype 19A may still be seen in fully vaccinated children and can cause invasive disease. Herein, we present four cases of IPD caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 19A who received the full regimen of PCV13 vaccination.
Keywords: Pneumococci serotype 19; invasive pneumococcal disease; pediatric.