Pneumonococcal Pneumonia

Streptococcus pneumoniae

-gram positive diplococcus
-many capsular polysaccharide serotypes
-produces pore forming toxin (pneumolysin, lyses epithelial cells)

Humans
-10% of adult population are carriers
-70% of children under 3 are carriers

respiratory tract

-airborne
-direct transmission
-respiratory droplets

winter and early spring

1-3 dys

-encapsulated pneumococci colonie alveoli and trigger inflammatory response
-toxin produced (pneumolysin) induces damage to cell membrane
-localized inflammation leads to alveolar fluid accumulation

-productive cough (may include blood)
-weakness/fatigue
-chest pain when breathing
-fever and chills
-hypoxia
-rapid pulse
-confusion or low alertness in elderly
-sometimes nausea, vomiting or headache

-meningitis
-bacteremia
-sepsis
-infections of other organ systems (middle ear or sinus)
-pericarditis
-infection of chest cavity

5% up to 20% in elderly

Vaccination (PCV13) pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate
-3 doeses at specific times
(PPSV23) protection against 23 serotypes

-Antibiotics (B-lactam)
*PCN and Cefotazime
*macrolide antibiotics
*Vancomycin