Streptococcus pneumoniae: description of the pathogen, disease epidemiology, treatment, and prevention

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant morbidity and mortality. Children younger than 2 years and individuals older than 65 years experience the highest rates of pneumococcal disease. Efforts to treat pneumococcal disease have been complicated by increasing resistance to antimicrobials. Prevent...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inPharmacotherapy Vol. 25; no. 9; p. 1193
Main Authors Bridy-Pappas, Angela E, Margolis, Marya B, Center, Kimberly J, Isaacman, Daniel J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.2005
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Clinical Trials as Topic
Community Pharmacy Services
Drug Administration Schedule
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Middle Aged
Pneumococcal Infections - epidemiology
Pneumococcal Infections - prevention & control
Pneumococcal Vaccines - administration & dosage
Pneumococcal Vaccines - adverse effects
Streptococcus pneumoniae - pathogenicity
Virulence
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant morbidity and mortality. Children younger than 2 years and individuals older than 65 years experience the highest rates of pneumococcal disease. Efforts to treat pneumococcal disease have been complicated by increasing resistance to antimicrobials. Prevention efforts have included the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, with use of these vaccines targeted to those at highest risk for disease. Information and background on S. pneumoniae and pneumococcal disease are provided. Vaccines targeted at this pathogen are reviewed, and the clinical trials that evaluated their safety, efficacy, and effectiveness are summarized. Also provided are recommendations for use of these vaccines.
ISSN:0277-0008
DOI:10.1592/phco.2005.25.9.1193