[Pneumococcal vaccine recommended for HIV-infected individuals]

The Epidemic Section at the Oslo City Department of Health and Environment, is responsible for monitoring communicable diseases in Oslo. We have registered an increase in the number of severe cases of pneumococcal disease with bacteremia, sepsis and meningitis. Fifty-two cases of invasive pneumococcal disease occurred in Oslo in 1992. There are no available data on the HIV-status of these patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae is frequently found as part of the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract, and is an important pathogen for patients infected with HIV. We discuss indications for use of pneumococcal vaccine, and recommend earlier and more extensive use of this vaccine in HIV-infected persons in Norway.