Pediatria pre prax S3/2010

Prevention of pneumococcal infection – actual situation in the world and in our country (Slovakia)

Invasive pneumococcal infections (IPI) are the most frequent fatal bacterial infections in children up to the age of five all over the world. The prevention and treatment of IPI was complicated due to the increased antibiotic resistance of pneumococcus and the poor immunogenic response of children to polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine. Development of the first conjugated 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) and its introduction into regular vaccination dramatically influenced the morbidity and mortality for IPI not only of young children, but also seniors. Noted were the concomitant decrease antibiotic resistance of pneumococcus, nasopharyngeal carriage as well as cases of acute otitis media and pneumonia. All these facts have had a significant impact to health care economy. However, the relative increase of infections due to non-vaccinal serotypes of S. pneumoniae has been noted in the recent time. In response to that, a new 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine has been developed. This vaccine covers almost 90 % of pathogenic S. pneumoniae serotypes all over the world. After its registration, the vaccine has been introduced into Slovakia’s regular vaccination program from July 1st, 2010.

Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcal diseases, vaccination.