BACKGROUND: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and mostly presents as pneumonia, sepsis or meningitis. A notable portion of IPD cases is vaccine preventable and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was introduced into the routine childhood immunization programs in many countries during the last decades. OBJECTIVES: Before PCV introduction in the Czech Republic in 2010, a national surveillance system for IPD was implemented in 2008 and further improved in 2011. In this study, we describe the new surveillance system for the first time and measure its sensitivity between 2010 and 2013 using the capture-recapture method. Furthermore, we describe the recent epidemiological trend of IPD, taking sensitivity estimates into account. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Between 2010 and 2013 the estimated sensitivity of the overall IPD surveillance increased from 81% to 99%. The sensitivity of individual reporting sources increased from 72% to 87% for the laboratory system and from 31% to 89% for the epidemiological notification system. Crucial for this improvement was the introduction of quarterly report reminders in 2011. Due to positive source dependency, the presented sensitivity estimates are most probably overestimated and reflect the upper limit of reporting completeness. Stratification showed variation in sensitivity of reporting particularly according to region. An effect of the PVC vaccination in the Czech Republic is visible in the incidence of IPD in target age groups (<5 y). This influence was not evident in the total IPD incidence and may interfere with increasing sensitivity of reporting. In 2013, an increase in the IPD incidence was observed. This finding requires further observation and a detailed vaccine impact analysis is needed to assess the current immunization strategy.

• MeSH
• Biostatistics MeSH
• Epidemiological Monitoring MeSH
• Mass Vaccination statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Immunization Programs statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Immunization Schedule MeSH
• Pneumococcal Infections epidemiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Pneumococcal Vaccines administration & dosage   MeSH
• National Health Programs statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Vaccines, Conjugate administration & dosage   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Pneumococcal Vaccines MeSH
• Vaccines, Conjugate MeSH

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes considerable global paediatric morbidity and mortality, despite the availability of safe and effective pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). To justify the introduction of PCVs, accurate information on the burden of disease is required. Here, we present an appraisal of the pneumococcal epidemiological situation in 11 Central European countries. The data are based on study findings presented at the 12th Central European Vaccine Advisory Group (CEVAG) meeting, held on 21-22 May 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a literature review of the PubMed database using the search terms 'pneumococcal' or 'Streptococcus pneumoniae', in combination with 'otitis media', 'pneumonia', 'meningitis' or 'bacteraemia/sepsis', and '[Central European country name]'. The incidence of pneumococcal disease appears to be lower in Central Europe than previously reported for Europe as a whole, with the highest risk in infants aged 0-2 years. The fatality rates in the under fives from invasive infections are up to 40%. A paucity of comprehensive country-specific data on pneumococcal disease burden arises from the lack of homogenous surveillance programmes. Standardised, active surveillance systems are required for the accurate evaluation of the pneumococcal disease burden in the region. Only then can the need for vaccination be addressed.

• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Immunization MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Otitis Media epidemiology   immunology   microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Meningitis, Pneumococcal epidemiology   immunology   microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Pneumococcal Vaccines administration & dosage   MeSH
• Pneumonia, Pneumococcal epidemiology   immunology   microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Sepsis epidemiology   immunology   microbiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Serotyping MeSH
• Streptococcus pneumoniae * classification   immunology   MeSH
• Vaccines, Conjugate administration & dosage   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe epidemiology   MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Pneumococcal Vaccines MeSH
• Vaccines, Conjugate MeSH

We conducted surveillance on invasive pneumococci isolated from adults in the Czech Republic during 1996-2003. The 7 most prevalent serotypes were characterized. Coverage with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was low. Our observations confirm that detection methods may have modified the expected effect of this vaccine.

• MeSH
• Bacteremia epidemiology   microbiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Meningitis, Pneumococcal epidemiology   microbiology   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Serotyping MeSH
• Streptococcus pneumoniae genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH