Epidemiology, virulence factors and management of the pneumococcus

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Authors

Feldman, Charles
Anderson, Ronald

Journal Title

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Publisher

F1000 Faculty Rev

Abstract

Pneumococcal infections continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients throughout the world. This microorganism remains the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia and is associated with a considerable burden of disease and health-care costs in both developed and developing countries. Emerging antibiotic resistance has been a concern because of its potential negative impact on the outcome of patients who receive standard antibiotic therapy. However, there have been substantial changes in the epidemiology of this pathogen in recent years, not least of which has been due to the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in children, with subsequent herd protection in unvaccinated adults and children. Furthermore, much recent research has led to a better understanding of the virulence factors of this pathogen and their role in the pathogenesis of severe pneumococcal disease, including the cardiac complications, as well as the potential role of adjunctive therapy in the management of severely ill cases. This review will describe recent advances in our understanding of the epidemiology, virulence factors, and management of pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia.

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Keywords

Pneumonia, Pneumococcal infections, Patients, Bacterial cause

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Feldman C and Anderson R. Epidemiology, virulence factors and management of the pneumococcus [version 1; referees: 2 approved] F1000Research 2016, 5(F1000 Faculty Rev):2320 (DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.9283.1).