Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis

Meropenem (Merrem IV) inhibits syndiesis of die bacterial cell wall and causes die deadi of susceptible cells. This drug is used for intra-abdominal infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and odier susceptible organisms Meropenem also is effective against bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Hemophilus influenzae. 

As the name implies, these organisms grow in pairs, otherwise they are similar to streptococci and are now referred to as streptococci. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the causal agent of acute lobar pneumonia and also of meningitis, peritonitis and conjunctivitis. This organism can also initiate an invasive infection. 

Bacterial meningitis is the most common cause of CNS infections. An epidemiologic review of bacterial meningitis in 1995 revealed that Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) was the most common pathogen (47%), followed by Neisseria... 

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. S. pneumoniae causes approximately 3000 cases of meningitis, 50,000 cases of bacteremia, 500,000 cases of pneumonia, and over 1 million cases of otitis media each year. The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant S. pneumoniae has highlighted the need to prevent infection through vaccination. Both licensed pneumococcal vaccines are highly effective in preventing disease from the common S. pneumoniae serotypes that cause human disease. 

CNS infections may be caused by a variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The most common causes of bacterial meningitis include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Haemophilus influenzae. 

Echchannaoui, H., et al., Toll-like receptor 2-deficient mice are highly susceptible to Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis because of reduced bacterial clearing and enhanced inflammation, J. Infect. Dis. 186, 6, 798, 2002. 

The Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of respiratory tract infections, bacteremia, and meningitis. In this strain, the cell wall anchored pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) has been demonstrated to bind lactoferrin [181]. PspA and closely related proteins in a variety of pneumococcal isolates are most likely involved in the sequestration of iron from lactoferrins, and finally contribute to the virulence of these bacteria. However, the means by which the pneumococcus acquires iron at the mucosal surface during invasive infection is not well understood at the molecular level [182],... 

Bacterial meningitis (pediatric patients 3 months of age or older only) Bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae ( -lactamase and non- -lactamase-producing strains), and Neisseria meningitidis. 

Recently, Oscarson and coworkers [131] focused on developing a new route for the synthesis of CPS fragments of the Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F and 19A, which are responsible for a large number of infections of the upper respiratory system and meningitis, especially in children and immunodeficient subjects (Fig. 14.4). 

Benzylpenicillin achieves peak CSF levels that are reliable for treating sensitive strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis but not Haemophilus influenzae and therefore cefotaxime or ceftriaxone are more reliable for suspected H. influenzae meningitis. 

Streptococcus pneumoniae Pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections Conjimctivitis, corneal ulcer, dacryocystitis, preseptal and orbital cellulitis, endophthalmitis... 

A series of vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae, started at two months of age, has greatly reduced the incidence of that form of meningitis. Vaccines also exist against Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, but these vaccines are only recommended for those people who have particular susceptibility to those organisms, due to certain immune deficiencies, lack of a spleen, or sickle cell anemia. 

Hord J, Byrd R, Stowe L, et al. Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsis and meningitis during the penicillin prophylaxis era in children with sickle cell disease. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2002 24 470-472. 

The three most likely pathogens of bacterial meningitis in the United States are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Hemophilus influenzae, although routine vaccination may cause a change in the epidemiology in the years to come. 

Meli DN, Christen S, Leib SL, Tauber MG. Current concepts in the pathogenesis of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cunt Opin Infect Dis 2002 15 253-257. 

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