Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing invasive childhood infections in Bangladesh, 1992 to 1995

One hundred sixty-five invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were isolated from children under five at Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital during the period 1992 to 1995. Ninety-four strains were from cerebrospinal fluid, and 71 were from blood. More than 91% of the strains were isolated from patients aged 24 months or less. Predominant serotypes were, in descending order, 7F, 12F, 14, 15B, 4, 23F, 18, 5, and 22A. These comprised 70% of all isolates. The marked differences in serotype distribution in different countries indicate the need for a sentinel surveillance study for the countries of south Asia, particularly Bangladesh, China, India, and Pakistan.