Genomic surveillance highlights the challenges posed by "shapeshifting" strains
A pioneering genomic surveillance study has provided the clearest picture yet of the arms race between Streptococcus pneumoniae, the bacterium responsible for a range of illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis, and the vaccines designed to protect against the most dominant types. A strain called GPSC10 was found to be a particular threat, due to its increased virulence, ability to transform its structure to evade vaccines and its resistance to several common antibiotics.
United Kingdom Stephen Bentley Emmanuelle Varon Emily Henderson Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal De Cr Global Pneumococcal
Source: news-medical.net