In-depth Analysis of the Immune Responses in the Upper Respiratory Tract in Older Adults Infected or Colonized With Streptococcus Pneumoniae (Spn)

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 60-85 years
• Able to provide informed consent either independently or by a legal representative
• Group 1 (Spn pneumonia patients): clinical and/or radiological signs of pneumonia
• Group 1 (Spn pneumonia patients): positive Spn urinary antigen and/or blood culture and/or positive sputum test.
• Group 2 (viral respiratory infection patients): clinical signs of a respiratory infection
• Group 2 (viral respiratory infection patients): positive test for influenza or RSV
• Group 3 (asymptomatic Spn-carriers): healthy without clinical signs of infection and no lower respiratory symptoms within the last month.

Exclusion criteria

• Immunosuppression,
• Use of inhalation and/or nasal steroids the last month
• Intubation or under invasive mechanical ventilation
• Long-term antibiotic treatment prior to disease onset