Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage in the Gambia: Population-based cross-sectional surveys.

Background: The introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) has reduced carriage of vaccine-type (VT) pneumococci in many settings. We determined the impact of The Gambia's national PCV programme on carriage of VT pneumococci in the population.

Methods: Seven-valent PCV (PCV7) was introduced in August 2009 without catch-up and with doses scheduled at 2, 3, 4 months of age; it was replaced by PCV13 in May 2011.

Invasive bacterial disease in young infants in rural Gambia: Population-based surveillance.

Background: Invasive bacterial diseases (IBD) cause significant mortality in young infants. There are limited population-based data on IBD in young infants in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We conducted population-based surveillance for IBD among infants aged 0-90 days in a demographic surveillance area in rural Gambia between 1 March 2011 and 31 December 2017.

Childhood meningitis in rural Gambia: 10 years of population-based surveillance.

Background: The introduction in many countries of conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis has led to significant reductions in acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in children. However, recent population-based data on ABM in sub-Saharan Africa are limited.

Methods: Population-based surveillance for meningitis was carried out in a rural area of The Gambia under demographic surveillance from 2008 to 2017, using standardised criteria for referral, diagnosis and investigation.

Pneumonia, Meningitis, and Septicemia in Adults and Older Children in Rural Gambia: 8 Years of Population-Based Surveillance.

Background: Representative data describing serious infections in children aged ≥5 years and adults in Africa are limited.

Methods: We conducted population-based surveillance for pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia in a demographic surveillance area in The Gambia between 12 May 2008 and 31 December 2015. We used standardized criteria to identify, diagnose, and investigate patients aged ≥5 years using conventional microbiology and radiology.

Aetiology of lobar pneumonia determined by multiplex molecular analyses of lung and pleural aspirate specimens in the Gambia: findings from population-based pneumonia surveillance.

Objectives: To determine the causes of lobar pneumonia in rural Gambia.

Design And Setting: Population-based pneumonia surveillance at seven peripheral health facilities and two regional hospitals in rural Gambia. 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced routinely in August 2009 and replaced by PCV13 from May 2011.