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[Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in children. Case records 1985 - 2003]

Luciana Nicolosi1, Laura Langella, Andrezej Krzysztofiak

  • 1U.O. Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Bambino Gesù - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Le Infezioni in Medicina
|February 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes severe pediatric infections like meningitis and sepsis, with antibiotic resistance emerging. Vaccination is recommended for children over two months to reduce disease incidence and sequelae.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Bacteriology
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of severe invasive diseases, including meningitis and sepsis, in children globally.
  • Emerging penicillin resistance and the introduction of new vaccines highlight the need for updated epidemiological data.
  • Pediatric meningitis and sepsis carry significant risks of mortality and long-term neurological complications.

Purpose:

  • To analyze the incidence, epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapy of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections in hospitalized children.
  • To assess the trends in antibiotic resistance and serotype prevalence over an 18-year period (1985-2003).
  • To provide data supporting vaccination strategies and public health recommendations for invasive pneumococcal disease.

Summary:

  • A review of 18 years of data (1985-2003) from Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital identified Streptococcus pneumoniae in 16.3% of children hospitalized with acute bacterial meningitis.
  • The pathogen was most prevalent in children under two years old, with significant rates of long-term sequelae like hearing loss and neurological deficits.
  • Antibiotic resistance to penicillin and ampicillin was observed in 2.3% of isolates, though resistance to cephalosporins and vancomycin was not detected.

Impact:

  • Findings support the recommendation of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for children over two months of age.
  • Emphasizes the importance of ongoing surveillance for invasive pneumococcal infections, antibiotic resistance, and serotype distribution in pediatric populations.
  • Highlights the persistent risk of severe outcomes and sequelae associated with pneumococcal meningitis and sepsis in children, underscoring the need for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

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