Streptococcus pyogenes Colonization in Children Aged 24-59 Months in the Gambia: Impact of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine and Associated Serological Responses

Background: Immunity to Streptococcus pyogenes in high burden settings is poorly understood. We explored S. pyogenes nasopharyngeal colonization after intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) among Gambian children aged 24-59 months, and resulting serological response to 7 antigens. Methods: A post hoc analysis was performed in 320 children randomized to receive LAIV at baseline (LAIV group) or not (control). S. pyogenes colonization was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs from baseline (day 0), day 7, and day 21. Anti-streptococcal IgG was quantified, including a subset with paired serum before/after S. pyogenes acquisition. Results: The point prevalence of S. pyogenes colonization was 7%-13%. In children negative at day 0, S. pyogenes was detected at day 7 or 21 in 18% of LAIV group and 11% of control group participants (P =. 12). The odds ratio (OR) for colonization over time was significantly increased in the LAIV group (day 21 vs day 0 OR, 3.18; P =. 003) but not in the control group (OR, 0.86; P =. 79). The highest IgG increases following asymptomatic colonization were seen for M1 and SpyCEP proteins. Conclusions: Asymptomatic S. pyogenes colonization appears modestly increased by LAIV, and may be immunologically significant. LAIV could be used to study influenza-S. pyogenes interactions. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT02972957.