Streptococcus pneumoniae

Precautions

Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions

General Information

Pathogen information

Encapsulated lancet-shaped gram positive diplococci

Epidemiology

Normal flora and important cause of invasive disease, often vaccine preventable

Associated syndromes

Community-acquired pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis

Many other syndromes possible but uncommon including endocarditis, MSK, etc

Additional Information

Comment on available vaccines and schedule

The lab reports susceptibility based on breakpoints for meningitis - which means drug levels achieved for treating pneumonia may be sufficient even though it may be reported as resistant

Invasive pneumococcal disease is a reportable disease

PCR testing is available for CSF