Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 33G: genetic, serological, and structural analysis of a new capsule type.

Manna, Sam; Werren, Joel P; Ortika, Belinda D; Bellich, Barbara; Pell, Casey L; Nikolaou, Elissavet; Gjuroski, Ilche; Lo, Stephanie; Hinds, Jason; Tundev, Odgerel; +12 more... Dunne, Eileen M; Gessner, Bradford D; Bentley, Stephen D; Russell, Fiona M; Mulholland, E Kim; Mungun, Tuya; von Mollendorf, Claire; Licciardi, Paul V; Cescutti, Paola; Ravenscroft, Neil; Hilty, Markus; Satzke, Catherine; (2024) Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 33G: genetic, serological, and structural analysis of a new capsule type. Microbiology spectrum, 12 (1). e0357923-. ISSN 2165-0497 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03579-23

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a bacterial pathogen with the greatest burden of disease in Asia and Africa. The pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide has biological relevance as a major virulence factor as well as public health importance as it is the target for currently licensed vaccines. These vaccines have limited valency, covering up to 23 of the >100 known capsular types (serotypes) with higher valency vaccines in development. Here, we have characterized a new pneumococcal serotype, which we have named 33G. We detected serotype 33G in nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 20) from children and adults hospitalized with pneumonia, as well as healthy children in Mongolia. We show that the genetic, serological, and biochemical properties of 33G differ from existing serotypes, satisfying the criteria to be designated as a new serotype. Future studies should focus on the geographical distribution of 33G and any changes in prevalence following vaccine introduction.

Additional Information

Item Type	Article
Faculty and Department	Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & International Health (2023-)
Research Centre	Centre for Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health (MARCH)
PubMed ID	38059623
Elements ID	212657
Official URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03579-23