Pneumococcal infection

Pneumococcal infection
Other namesPneumococcosis
SpecialtyRespirology, neurology

Pneumococcal infection is an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.[1]

S. pneumoniae is a common member of the bacterial flora colonizing the nose and throat of 5–10% of healthy adults and 20–40% of healthy children.[2] However, it is also a cause of significant disease, being a leading cause of pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and sepsis. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2005 pneumococcal infections were responsible for the death of 1.6 million children worldwide.[3]

  1. ^ Pratt RD (2022). "5. Pneumococcal disease: infections caused by Streptococcus pneumonia". In Jong EC, Stevens DL (eds.). Netter's Infectious Diseases (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. pp. 20–23. ISBN 978-0-323-71159-3.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sherris was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference WHO2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).