Evolution of S. pneumoniae

[Otto]

Perhaps of general interest, the CBC radio show Quirks & Quarks had what I thought was an engaging interview this week with Dylan Pillai about this paper. The audio is here (MP3).

[chaoticzenmom]

oh those promiscuous bacteria.LOL   I only read the summary, but I bet it would be really good reading if you wanted more information about serotype replacement. It probably explains why they keep adding more strains of bacteria to the prevnar.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by chaoticzenmom 

oh those promiscuous bacteria.LOL   I only read the summary, but I bet it would be really good reading if you wanted more information about serotype replacement. It probably explains why they keep adding more strains of bacteria to the prevnar.

I don't have access to the full text of the article, but yah, the mechanism of serotype replacement and more evolutionarily stable vaccine targets come up in the radio piece. I want to say that they also talk about whether antimicrobial resistance goes hand-in-hand, but I haven't had a chance to listen again.