2024
A low-cost culture- and DNA extraction-free method for the molecular detection of pneumococcal carriage in saliva
Peno C, Lin T, Hislop M, Yolda-Carr D, Farjado K, York A, Pitzer V, Weinberger D, Bei A, Allicock O, Wyllie A. A low-cost culture- and DNA extraction-free method for the molecular detection of pneumococcal carriage in saliva. Microbiology Spectrum 2024, 12: e00591-24. PMID: 39028185, PMCID: PMC11370248, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00591-24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDetection of pneumococciDetection of pneumococcal carriagePneumococcal carriageCarriage surveillanceLow-resource settingsChildren attending childcare centersCarriage of pneumococciDNA extractionSaliva samplesMolecular methodsCultural enrichmentImprove surveillance effortsQPCR-based protocolPneumococcal vaccineExtraction-free methodMolecular detectionNucleic acid extractionVaccination strategiesPneumococciCulture-enrichment methodExtraction-free protocolPurified DNASalivaPaired samplesCarriage
2023
High Levels of Detection of Nonpneumococcal Species of Streptococcus in Saliva from Adults in the United States
Hislop M, Allicock O, Thammavongsa D, Mbodj S, Nelson A, Shaw A, Weinberger D, Wyllie A. High Levels of Detection of Nonpneumococcal Species of Streptococcus in Saliva from Adults in the United States. Microbiology Spectrum 2023, 11: e05207-22. PMID: 37067447, PMCID: PMC10269540, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05207-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPersistence of Pneumococcal Carriage among Older Adults in the Community despite COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
Wyllie A, Mbodj S, Thammavongsa D, Hislop M, Yolda-Carr D, Waghela P, Nakahata M, Stahlfeld A, Vega N, York A, Allicock O, Wilkins G, Ouyang A, Siqueiros L, Strong Y, Anastasio K, Alexander-Parrish R, Arguedas A, Gessner B, Weinberger D. Persistence of Pneumococcal Carriage among Older Adults in the Community despite COVID-19 Mitigation Measures. Microbiology Spectrum 2023, 11: e04879-22. PMID: 37036377, PMCID: PMC10269788, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04879-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInvasive pneumococcal diseasePneumococcal diseaseSchool-aged childrenOlder adultsPneumococcal carriageSaliva samplesCOVID-19 pandemicRate of carriageCOVID-19-related disruptionsUpper respiratory tractRegular contactNew Haven areaFirst yearCarriage prevalencePre-pandemic levelsMedical historyRespiratory tractHigh prevalenceStreptococcus pneumoniaeCOVID-19 mitigation measuresStudy participantsPneumococciPrevalenceDiseaseCarriage
2021
1321. Acquisition and Transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Individuals Over the Age of 60 Years Residing in New Haven, CT, USA
Wyllie A, Mbodj S, Yolda-Carr D, Thammavongsa D, Waghela P, Nakahata M, Vega N, York A, Allicock O, Alexander-Parrish R, Arguedas A, Gessner B, Weinberger D, Hislop M. 1321. Acquisition and Transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Individuals Over the Age of 60 Years Residing in New Haven, CT, USA. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2021, 8: 749-749. PMCID: PMC8689704, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab466.1513.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPneumococcal carriageSaliva samplesOlder adultsPreventative public health measuresPneumococcal conjugate vaccineNew Haven areaPublic health measuresPneumococcal acquisitionPneumococcal diseaseConjugate vaccinePneumococcal transmissionStudy enrollmentMedical historyImportant burdenDemonstrate evidenceStreptococcus pneumoniaeHealth measuresMultiple timepointsTime pointsWeeksAdultsCOVID-19 pandemicAgeHigh ratePneumococci