Pediatria pre prax 5/2009

Pneumococcal infections in children and the prevention

Pneumococcal diseases are leading cause of serious illness in children throughout the world. The common patogen like Streptococcus pneumoniae give rise to invasive and non-invasive diseases like pneumonia, meningitis, otitis and sinusitis. The major virulence factor is the capsule. Until today 91 serotypes according to the chemical composition were defined. Article discusses mechanisms of antipneumococcal immunity, differences between unconjugated and conjugated vaccines and clinical implications of introducing the vaccine into the pediatric praxis. The 7-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine become a component of the regular vaccination schedule in Slovakia and provides an effective new tool for reducing morbidity of children with acute and recurrent respiratory infections.

Keywords: invasive pneumococcal infections, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, mechanisms of immunity, clinical implications.