Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

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

Published on: February 23, 2014

Atypical case presentations of Streptococcus pneumoniae from level 1 trauma centre in India -A case series

Aishwarya Govindaswamy1, Sushma Sagar2, Vivek Trikha3

  • 1Department of Microbiology, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
|November 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae rarely causes appendicitis and skin infections. This study highlights its serious impact in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), with one sepsis case proving fatal despite treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of appendicitis, skin, and soft tissue infections.
  • Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) presents a significant public health challenge in India, marked by high mortality rates.
  • The clinical relevance of pneumococcal isolates from appendix pus and skin/soft tissue samples requires further elucidation.

Observation:

  • This study details three adult cases of infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae at a Level 1 trauma center.
  • Cases included acute appendicitis, skin and soft tissue infection, and bloodstream infection (pneumococcal sepsis).

Findings:

  • Patients with appendicitis and soft tissue infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae showed recovery with appropriate antimicrobial treatment.
  • The patient with pneumococcal sepsis did not survive, underscoring the severity of invasive pneumococcal disease.

Implications:

  • These cases underscore the importance of considering Streptococcus pneumoniae in the differential diagnosis of appendicitis and soft tissue infections.
  • The high fatality rate in the pneumococcal sepsis case emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and aggressive management of IPD.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and optimize treatment strategies for non-typical pneumococcal infections.
Keywords:
AppendicitisStreptococcus pneumoniaeinvasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)skin and soft tissue infection

More Related Videos

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination09:11

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination

Published on: September 24, 2014

Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/4306:06

Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43

Published on: September 11, 2020

Related Concept Videos

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...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
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...