The importance of vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae: case report

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of pneumonia and meningitis in the pediatric population. More than 100 pneumococcal serotypes have been identified. The prevalent serotypes vary from region to region, and this epidemiological data is considered in the development of new vaccines. Pneumococcal vaccines have had a major impact in reducing disease.

Case description: male infant, with no pathologic personal history, immigrant, with incomplete vaccination schedule. He was admitted with a history of 5 days of cough, fever, and respiratory distress. Chest X-ray: consolidation in the middle lobe and right pleural effusion. Gram and culture of pleural fluid revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae as the causal pathogen.

Conclusions: we present a patient, with no pneumococcal vaccination, in whom pneumonia complicated with empyema due to S. pneumoniae was identified. The most cost-effective intervention to reduce the burden of pneumococcal disease is vaccination. After the introduction of vaccines to national vaccination programs, the phenomenon of replacement of circulating serotypes occurs, hence the importance of developing vaccines that extend protection against serotypes not included in current vaccines.