Standard Precautions
Encapsulated lancet-shaped gram positive diplococci
Normal flora and important cause of invasive disease, often vaccine preventable
Community-acquired pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis
Many other syndromes possible but uncommon including endocarditis, MSK, etc
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV 13) protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria and is free for children in BC as routine immunization. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against 23 pneumococcal serotypes and is recommended for people at high risk of pneumococcal infections (splenectomy, chronic lung, liver, kidney, heart disease, etc.)
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