Characterization of a Novel Diagnostic Test for Pneumococcal Infection

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Streptococcus pneumoniae is generally considered the most common bacterial cause of community acquired pneumonia, responsible for 350,000-620,000 hospitalizations each year in the US among patients above age 65 years. Globally, invasive pneumococcal disease affects an estimated 1.6 million people annually with over 1 million deaths, many of them children. To appropriately treat microbial infections, accurate diagnosis is essential; however, current methods of diagnosing pneumococcal disease are very limited resulting in gross underestimates of this disease. We have developed a novel diagnostic test using highly specialized cells found in the blood during acute infections: "antibody secreting cells". The ability to accurately diagnose S. pneumoniae infection early in the illness at a time when management decisions are being considered would be a significant advance. This grant will study the antibody secreting cells as a novel test during acute pneumococcal infections.