Pneumococcal evolution in Bangladesh

Invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, remain a major global health concern, particularly for children. This study utilized the data from IPD surveillance conducted in Bangladesh, from 2004 to 2023. We investigated the trends in IPD incidence of different serotypes in Bangladesh, both before and after the introduction of PCV10 in 2015. Using whole-genome sequencing data, we examined the population structure of different pneumococcal serotypes in Bangladesh using phylogenetic and BEAST analysis. Additionally, we examined circulating global pneumococcal sequence clusters (GPSCs), sequence types (STs), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes within the pneumococcal population in Bangladesh and compared these to other countries. This study presents the first comprehensive genomic analysis of the pneumococcal population in Bangladesh, to observe the impact of PCV10. It also highlights the need for continuous epidemiological and genomic surveillance to support evidence-based policies for effective vaccination programs.