Pneumococcal infections

Abstract

Objectives: After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Discuss the common clinical presentations of pneumococcal infections. 2. Describe the resistance patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the usual recommendations for therapy of pneumococcal infections. 3. Characterize the treatment of pneumococcal meningitis. 4. Delineate the differences between the two licensed pneumococcal vaccines and the indications for their administration. 5. Describe the impact of the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine on pneumococcal infection in the United States.