Streptococcus pneumoniae

Microbiology

Gram-positive, lancet-shaped diplococci
90+ serotypes, based on capsular polysaccharide that is bound to peptidoglycan
Lab identification is based on α-hemolysis of blood agar (from pneumolysin), optochin susceptibility, and bile salt solubility
Via transformation, bacteria can exchange genetic material with each other

CLSI penicillin breakpoints for susceptibility changed in 2008
- For meningitis: ≤0.06 μg/mL
- For other infections: ≤2 μg/mL

Penicillin resistance
- S. pneumoniae has 6 PBPs: 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2X, and 3
- Resistance in any of the PBPs can increase the MIC
- Mutations in PBP 2B are associated with low-level resistance
- Mutations in PBP 2X are associated with high-level resistance
Macrolide resistance
- ermB encodes an enzyme that methylates the 23S subunit, blocking macrolides and giving very high MIC ≥64
- mefA encodes an efflux pump that gives a relatively lower MIC ≤16

Present worldwide
Major cause of morbidity and mortality in children
- Leading cause of under-5 mortality worldwide

Acquired by coughing and sneezing
Asymptomatic carriage or colonization in the nasopharynx
Invasion through epithelial cells into the bloodstream, using the PAF and pIg receptors
Capsule and various proteins help it to evade immune system

4-10% in the general adult population, usually lasting several weeks
Highest in children, up to 30-60% depending on the situation, lasting up to 6 months

Acute onset of cough (92%), fatigue (63%), shortness of breath (47%), and dyspnea (23%) with documented or subjective fever (92%), chills (77%), sweats, purulent sputum, and pleuritic chest pain (79%)

Most common cause of meningitis in adults
Acquired by hematogenous spread from nasopharynx, or direct invasion from sinuses
May be secondary to otitis media or sinusitis
CSF leaks and other defects predispose to infection
Diagnostic yield in CSF decrease significantly 4 hours after administration of antibiotics