Pherotypes of pneumococcal strains co-existing in healthy children

► The role of pneumococcal pherotypes in co-colonisation of Streptococcus pneumoniae is examined. ► By sequencing the comC locus five distinct alleles are identified by including a novel comC. ► The pherotype of co-colonising pneumococci is compared to the overall pherotype distribution. ► We find no restriction by pherotype on co-colonisation of pneumococci.