3/2007Pneumococcal vaccines in general practice

EWA GYRCZUK (Katedra i Zakład Medycyny Rodzinnej z Oddziałem Klinicznym Chorób Wewnętrznych i Metabolicznych Akademii Medycznej w Warszawie;Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Kazimierz A. Wardyn )

Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci) are Gram-positive diplococci. 90 pneumococcal serotypes have been identified. The pneumococcus is the most common cause of acute otitis media, sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia and invasive bacterial infections in children. Pneumococci and meningococci have become the two most common causes of bacterial meningitis in infants and young children. Pneumococcal infections are the most common in infants, young children, and elderly, these infections are increased in incidence and severity in person with congenital or acquired humoral immunodeficiency, absent or deficient splenic function, nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure. Active immunization (vaccination) can reduce incidence and severity of pneumococcal infections. Vaccination provides also antibiotic resistance among pathogens – which is an emerging problem. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccinations: polysaccharide (recommended for patients older than 2 years) and conjugated (recommended for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years). All patients older than 65 years should be encouraged to vaccine against pneumococcal diseases. Pneumoccocal vaccine should be also strongly recommended for infants.

Key words: pneumococci, vaccination, indications