Review on Pneumococcal Infection in Children.
Abstract
Childhood pneumococcal infection is a growing concern among paediatricians especially, in countries where there is no routine vaccination program against Streptococcal pneumoniae. The disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in young children particularly those who are under the age of two years. Its main virulent factors include polysaccharide capsule, autolysin, pneumolysin, choline-binding Protein A, the higher chance for genetic transformation, and the presence of pilli that facilitate enhanced binding of bacteria to host cellular surfaces. More severe and invasive pneumococcal infections are seen in children with immunodeficiencies, hypofunctional spleen, malnutrition, chronic lung disease and nephrotic syndrome. The disease spectrum includes a range of manifestations from trivial upper respiratory tract infections to severe invasive pneumococcal disease (PD). The basis of diagnosis is the isolation of bacteria in the culture of body fluids including blood. Antibiotics are best guided by sensitivity patterns and the emergence of resistance is a growing concern.
References
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is a prevalent and costly infection that is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages. Here is the latest research.
Bacterial Pneumonia (ASM)
Bacterial pneumonia is a prevalent and costly infection that is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages. Here is the latest research.