Nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage density as an influencer of RSV-associated lower respiratory infection outcomes in infancy and early childhood

Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) remain the leading cause of global child mortality. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) are important etiological agents of childhood ALRI, and a major cause of hospitalization in young children, resulting in a substantial burden on healthcare services.

In this non-interventional observational prospective study, we aim to understand the impact of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage on the severity of clinical outcomes in children aged under 3 years hospitalized with RSV associated lower respiratory infection in India. This study is being conducted across 6 hospital sites in India, across New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Kolkata.