Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

Pneumococcal endocarditis in children

Laurence B Givner1, Edward O Mason, Tina Q Tan

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. lgivner@wfubmc.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|May 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis is rare in children but frequently leads to severe complications. Most affected children had underlying heart conditions, highlighting the need for vigilance in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Endocarditis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is uncommon in pediatric populations, representing 3%-7% of childhood endocarditis cases.
  • Invasive pneumococcal disease surveillance in children is crucial for understanding disease epidemiology and impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical characteristics, complications, and outcomes of children diagnosed with Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis.
  • To assess the serotype distribution of pneumococcal isolates in pediatric endocarditis cases and its relation to vaccination.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease at 8 US children's hospitals from September 1993 to February 2003.
  • Clinical data collection on demographics, predisposing conditions, concomitant infections, treatment, and outcomes for children with pneumococcal endocarditis.

Main Results:

  • Eleven cases of pediatric pneumococcal endocarditis were identified.
  • The majority of affected children were young (3-36 months), male, and had pre-existing structural heart disease, often with prior cardiac surgery.
  • Significant complications occurred in 45% of patients, including meningitis, and one patient (9%) died. Most isolates were vaccine serotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric endocarditis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, though rare, is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.
  • The high prevalence of pre-existing heart disease underscores the importance of early diagnosis and management.
  • The presence of vaccine serotypes suggests potential for prevention through pneumococcal vaccination.

More Related Videos

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...