S. Pojar

Epithelial micro-invasion by Streptococcus pneumoniae induces epithelial-derived innate immunity during colonisation at the human mucosal surface

This study shows that Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes human mucosa via microinvasion, triggering epithelial innate immunity and influencing bacterial clearance.

Dynamic changes in innate immune and T cell function and composition at the nasal mucosa across the human lifespan

This study examines age-related changes in nasal mucosal immune composition and function, finding reduced granulocytes and T cells in young children and older adults, and links pneumococcal colonization to inflammation.

Minimally-invasive nasal sampling in children offers accurate pneumococcal colonization detection

This study shows that nasal lining fluid filter strips provide equal pneumococcal detection sensitivity to deep nasopharyngeal swabs in children, offering a less unpleasant alternative.

Defining mucosal immunity using mass cytometry following experimental human pneumococcal challenge

The paper uses mass cytometry to analyze nasal immune cells after pneumococcal challenge, identifying immune changes linked to colonization and host-pathogen interactions.

Inflammation induced by influenza virus impairs innate control of human pneumococcal carriage

This study shows that influenza virus infection impairs innate immune responses to pneumococcal carriage in the nose, increasing bacterial density through cytokine-driven mechanisms.

Effect of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine on Pneumococcal Carriage

This study tests if LAIV affects pneumococcal carriage in humans, finding transient increases in bacterial density but no overall change in acquisition rates.