PubMed2026
AIM: To describe in detail changes in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in the Czech Republic during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Another objective is molecular analysis of S. pneumoniae isolates of serotypes 3 and 19A recovered in the Czech Republic between 2018 and 2024. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease and S. pneumoniae serotypes were obtained from the invasive pneumococcal disease surveillance program in the Czech Republic. S. pneumoniae isolates of serotypes 3 (63) and 19A (66) from 2018-2024 were subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize the GPSCs (Global Pneumococcal Sequence Clusters) and STs (sequence types) and place them in a global context. RESULTS: Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant decline was observed in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in the Czech Republic. Following the pandemic, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease rose again to significantly higher levels than before the pandemic. Compared to the 2018–2019 period, the incidence of certain serotypes increased in 2023–2024, including vaccine serotypes 3, 4, 14, and 15B, while the incidence of serotypes 8, 12F, and 15A, among others, decreased. Whole genome sequencing analysis demonstrated the dominance of GPSC12 ST-180 among serotype 3 isolates throughout the study period. Among serotype 19A isolates, GPSC4 prevailed, particularly ST-416. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how rapidly the epidemiological situation of invasive pneumococcal disease can change and that continuous, systematic surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease is necessary. The best prevention against invasive pneumococcal disease is vaccination, primarily with higher valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.