Current methods of capsular typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae: possibilities and availability for local laboratories

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines contain a limited number of serotype-specific antigens of S. pneumoniae. It is important for vaccination programmes effectiveness assessment to control a variety of circulating S. pneumoniae serotypes. This review provides an analysis of pneumococcal serotyping approaches and further ways of improving pneumococcal serotype detection within the microbiological surveillance. Serological methods and multiplex PCR can identify a limited number of pneumococcal serotypes only. Whole-genome sequencing-based approaches can predict almost all serotypes and sequence types as well as detect antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes.