Streptococcus pneumoniae and frequency therapy

**Encyclopaedia entry: Streptococcus pneumoniae** **Definition:** *Streptococcus pneumoniae*, also known as pneumococcus, is a gram-positive, capsule-bearing bacterium belonging to the genus Streptococcus. It is an important pathogen of respiratory tract infections and can cause severe invasive disease. **Properties:** - **Appearance:** *Streptococcus pneumoniae* appears under the microscope as cocci arranged in pairs (diplococci) or in short chains. - **Capsule:** The polysaccharide capsule is an important virulence factor that protects the bacterium from phagocytosis by the immune system. - **Haemolysis:** It is alpha-haemolytic, which means that it causes a green discolouration around the colonies on blood agar plates. **Infections:** *Streptococcus pneumoniae* can cause a variety of infections, including: - **Pneumonia:** A common and potentially serious infection of the lungs. - **Sinusitis:** Inflammation of the sinuses. - **Otitis media:** Inflammation of the middle ear, especially common in children. - **Meningitis:** Inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, a life-threatening condition. - **Bacteraemia:** Bacteria in the blood that can lead to sepsis. **Transmission:** - **Droplet infection:** Through coughing, sneezing or close contact with an infected person. **Diagnosis:** The diagnosis is made by microbiological cultures of samples from infected areas, such as sputum, blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Rapid tests and molecular methods can also be used to detect the bacterium. **Treatment:** - **Antibiotics:** Penicillin is the traditional drug of choice, but other antibiotics such as cephalosporins or macrolides may also be required due to increasing resistance. - **Resistance management:** The choice of antibiotic should be based on susceptibility testing. **Prevention:** - **Vaccination:** Pneumococcal vaccines (PCV13, PPSV23) are effective in preventing infection and are recommended for children, older adults and at-risk groups. - **Hygiene measures:** Wash hands regularly and avoid close contact with infected persons. **What you need to know:** - *Streptococcus pneumoniae* is widespread worldwide and is one of the most common causes of bacterial pneumonia. - The development of vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence of severe pneumococcal disease. **Research:** Research on *Streptococcus pneumoniae* focuses on improving vaccines, monitoring antibiotic resistance and understanding the mechanisms that influence the virulence and transmission of the bacterium.