Nasopharyngeal swabs are primarily recommended for detecting carriers of which organisms?

Nasopharyngeal swabs are particularly effective for detecting certain respiratory pathogens, which is why the selected answer highlights organisms such as Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria are commonly associated with respiratory infections and can colonize the nasopharynx.

Haemophilus influenzae is known for causing various infections, including pneumonia and meningitis, especially in children. Neisseria meningitidis is a key agent of meningococcal meningitis, which can lead to severe disease and is often asymptomatically carried in the nasopharynx. Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, is also detected in nasal swabs, as it resides in the upper respiratory tract.

In contrast, the other organisms mentioned in the question do not typically reside in the nasopharynx and are not primarily detected through nasopharyngeal swabs. For instance, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are usually associated with urinary tract infections and other non-respiratory sites. Streptococcus agalactiae and Listeria monocytogenes are more commonly identified in other specimens related to pregnancy or