Epidemiological features of Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients with acute respiratory tract infection in Beijing, China during 2009–2020

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is one of the common pathogens causing acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of S. pneumoniae in patients with ARTI in Beijing, and to provide reference evidence for prevention and control of S. pneumoniae. The patients from the surveillance data of ARTI in Beijing from 2009 to 2020 were recruited in the study. All patients were tested for S. pneumoniae and other viral and bacterial pathogens. Logistic regression model was used to explore the epidemiological features of S. pneumoniae. Totally, 4.63% (253/5468) of the ARTI patients were positive for S. pneumoniae. The age, case type and antibiotic therapy in one week before sampling affected the positive rate of S. pneumoniae in patients. No significant difference on the positive rate of S. pneumoniae between the mild and severe pneumonia. Patients infected with S. pneumoniae had a higher risk of pneumonia in adults and the elderly, but a lower risk in children. The leading bacterial and viral pathogens in patients positive for S. pneumoniae were Haemophilus influenzae (36.36%) and human rhinovirus (35.59%), respectively. This study showed that the prevalence of S. pneumoniae in the patients with ARTI was at a low level in Beijing from 2009 to 2020, which was higher in elderly patients, outpatients and patients without antibiotic therapy. It is necessary to further explore the serotype of S. pneumoniae and PCVs vaccine coverage, and rationally develop vaccine manufacture and vaccination programs to reduce the burden of pneumococcal diseases.