Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal Disease Latest News

Drug firm Pfizer recently introduced its next-generation 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) for adults in India, offering protection against 20 serotypes responsible for a majority of pneumococcal diseases.

About Pneumococcal Disease

• Pneumococcal disease refers to a range of illnesses that affect various parts of the body and are caused by infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, commonly known as pneumococcus.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is an encapsulated bacteria with a polysaccharide capsule, an essential factor in virulence. 
  • About 90 distinct pneumococcal serotypes have been identified throughout the world, with a small number of these serotypes accounting for most diseases.
• Illnesses range from mild infections, such as ear infections, to pneumonia and life-threatening infections of the bloodstream and central nervous system, such as meningitis.
• It is a major public health problem worldwide. 
  • In the developing world young children and the elderly are most affected. 
  • It is estimated that about one million children die of pneumococcal disease every year. 
• Pneumococci are transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions from patients and healthy carriers.
• Treatment: 
  • Treatment typically involves antibiotics. 
  • Vaccines can reduce the risk of infection, especially in young children and older adults.
  • Pneumococcal resistance to antimicrobials is a serious and rapidly increasing problem worldwide.

Source: ET

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