Pneumococcus

Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Ber; synonym: Weixelbaum diplococcus, Frenkel diplococcus) is a gram-positive diplococcus belonging to the genus Streptococcus. It is one of the most common causative agents of bacterial infections in humans.

Pneumococci are widespread in nature, living in the nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract of healthy people. When immunity is weakened, they can cause various diseases - pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, etc. They are especially dangerous for children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases.

Vaccination is used to prevent pneumococcal infections. There are vaccines for adults and children of different ages. Vaccination helps reduce morbidity and mortality from pneumococcal disease.

Thus, pneumococcus is a common causative agent of dangerous diseases that can be protected against through vaccination.

Pneumococci are one of the most common pathogens causing acute respiratory tract infections, especially pneumonia. Pneumonia is a disease that develops when the lungs become infected. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia in both children and adults.

Pneumococcus is a gram-positive bacterium that forms a cluster of round cells called diplococci. While pneumococci usually cause infection in humans, they can also be found in nature, where they live in soil and plants. Outside the human body, pneumococcal colonies have the shape of a chain, but inside the body they multiply in the form of rounded disks (dissociated colonies). In one organism there are usually several thousand pneumococci, and in rare cases these bacilli form long chains (primary chains) up to thousands in size. These thin chains are called "pneumonodes" and they form large groups that can be seen inside a person's lungs. In pneumonia, pneumococcal infection is usually observed in the alveoli - small sacs in the lungs that allow gas exchange and are located in the lower parts of the lungs. The presence of accumulations of pneumococci (pneumococcal pneumonia) on the surface of the alveoli causes disruption of gas exchange, which can lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Approximately 90% of pneumococcal strains are polysaccharide antibiotics, meaning they produce important fragments of the polysaccharide shell and are sensitive to antibiotics that target them. Despite the importance of pneumococcal infections, the cause of pneumococcal infections is unknown. But there are several known factors that can increase the risk of developing infection:

* Children under five years of age, whose immune systems are not as well developed, are more likely to develop pneumonia due to pneumococcal infections. *Patients with weakened immune systems and adults undergoing immunosuppressive therapy may also develop pneumococcal pneumonia. *Vaccination including pneumococcal vaccine along with other vaccines that promote

Pneumococci are spherical cocci microbes. They can cause a variety of illnesses in humans, including pneumonia, meningitis and sinusitis. Microbes have two types: single-component S.pneumoniae and multicomponent Str.pyogenes.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is one of the most common respiratory tract infections in children and adults. It can lead to severe complications such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and even respiratory distress syndrome. To prevent the development of the disease, vaccinations are recommended. Pneumonia in infants caused by pneumococci is one of the leading causes of child mortality in the world. The most effective method of preventing pneumonia is vaccination. Vaccines against pneumococci are available as single vaccines or combination vaccines that also contain components against Haemophilus influenzae, influenza and polio. One of the most effective treatments for pneumococcal pneumonia is the use of antibiotics. Amoxicillin is the classic drug of first choice. However, if pneumococci are resistant to this antibiotic, doctors can also prescribe second-line drugs such as amoxiclav, ceftriaxone or vancomycin.

Stenosing laryngotracheitis (SLT) is an acute inflammatory process of the larynx and trachea, which is manifested by a feeling of lack of air, a persistent paroxysmal cough, and hoarseness. Pneumococcal stenosis of the larynx ranks second after a foreign body in the respiratory tract. SLT occurs predominantly in children under 3 years of age and often requires intensive care. The most common symptoms are stridor (breathing noises that resemble the sound of breathing through a narrow bottle neck) and a dry cough. With severe asphyxia, blueness of the lips, face, and chest is noted. Characterized by chest discomfort and severe breathing difficulties. Quite rare pneumococcal la