Invasive Pneumococcal Disease – Current Czech Data

Incidence of Reported IPD at Pre-Pandemic Levels

The overall morbidity of IPD in 2022 was 4.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, with an absolute number of 472 reported cases, bringing the number of cases back to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. For comparison, in 2019, 483 cases were reported, while in the following years 2020 and 2021, there were 247 and 264 cases of IPD, respectively.

The highest numbers of cases traditionally occur before the arrival of spring, typically in March, followed by a gradual decline and another rise in the autumn and winter months. This seasonal distribution was also observable in 2022.

Morbidity by Age

The majority of IPD cases remain in patients aged ≥65 years (244 out of 472 cases), with a morbidity rate of 11.1/100,000 inhabitants. In children, the incidence of IPD is highest in the first year of life, according to both Czech and European statistics. The morbidity rate in this age category reached 7.8/100,000, which is approximately twice that of children aged 1-4 years (3.7/100,000).

Fig. Age-Specific Morbidity of IPD in the Czech Republic in 2010–2022 

Vaccination Rates Among the Infected

A total of 40 infected individuals out of the 472 were vaccinated against pneumococcal infections. Among children aged 0-4 years, 14 out of the total 25 infected with IPD were vaccinated. Similarly, in the most vulnerable group of seniors aged 65+, 14 out of the total 244 infected were vaccinated against pneumococcus.

High Mortality Related to IPD 

The overall mortality rate related to IPD reached high values in 2022 (17.6%; 83 deaths). The long-term most common serotype causing IPD, namely serotype 3, was proven in 20 cases. The highest mortality rate (25%) was among children under 1 year of age, with one dying from pneumosepsis (serotype 15B) and another from sudden death (serotype 35F). Very high mortality (22.5%) was also observed in the age group 65+ (55 deaths).

Conclusion 

According to SZÚ statistics, the most affected populations in terms of morbidity are children under 1 year of age and individuals over 65 years old. Vaccination with polyvalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines is an effective prevention of IPD not only in children, including immunocompromised groups, but also in seniors who often get infected from their grandchildren. By vaccinating infants and children, we indirectly protect the vulnerable elderly population, among whom the mortality rate related to IPD is also high according to available data. 

(lexi) 

Sources: 
1. Kozáková J., Žemličková H., Vohrnová S., Křížová P. Invasive pneumococcal disease in the Czech Republic in 2022. Report of the Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, SZÚ, Prague, 2023; 32 (6-7): 261-266. 
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4. Kozáková J., Okonji Z., Klímová M., Křížová P. Invasive pneumococcal disease in the Czech Republic in 2019. Report of the Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, SZÚ, Prague, 2020; 29 (6): 246-252. Available at: https://archiv.szu.cz/uploads/IPO/Zaverecna_zprava_IPO/CEM_6_2020_pneumokok_4_.pdf 
5. Chlíbek R. The Role of Multivalent Pneumococcal Vaccines in the Vaccination of Healthy and Premature Babies. Interdisciplinary Congress of PLDD, Prague, 9 June 2023.