Pathogens
Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Precautions

Standard Precautions

General Information

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