Pediatria pre prax S1/2012

Pneumococcal diseases and vaccination

A wide spectrum of pneumococcal diseases remains a global health threat. Respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity in children. Overall, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common etiologic agent of respiratory infections worldwide and therefore pneumococcal prophylaxis has effectively decreased childhood morbidity and mortality. The evolution of pneumococcal prophylaxis has led from polysaccharide vaccines to contemporary conjugated vaccines.

Keywords: invasive pneumococcal diseases, polysaccharide, conjugated pneumococcal vaccines.