Relationship between IL-17_A and pneumococcal carriage in children aged under two years: data from a randomised controlled trial in Vietnam

Abstract

Objective: Pneumococcal carriage is a prerequisite for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Interleukin (IL)-17 A and IL-17 A-producing cells are involved in the clearance of pneumococcal carriage in adults, but their role in children is unclear. This study aims to examine the relationship between IL-17 A, IL-17 A-related cytokines (IL-22, IL-23, IFNγ) and IL-17 A-producing cells and pneumococcal carriage in children aged under two years. Methods: Blood samples (n = 143) collected from unvaccinated children at 18 months (m) of age and nasopharyngeal swabs collected from unvaccinated children at 2, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 m in the Vietnam Pneumococcal Project (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01953510) were i..