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Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is a Gram-positive, alpha-hemolytic or beta-hemolytic, facultative anaerobic member of the genus Streptococcus.

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Streptococcus pneumoniae cells are Gram-positive, lancet-shaped cocci (elongated cocci with a slightly pointed outer curvature). Usually, they are seen as pairs of cocci (diplococci), but they may also occur singly and in short chains.

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Streptococcus pneumoniae on nutrient agar

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Streptococcus pneumoniae on nutrient agar

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On agar, pneumococci grow as  glistening colonies, about 1 mm in diameter. Two serotypes, types 3 and 37, are mucoid. Pneumococci spontaneously undergo a genetically determined, phase variation from opaque to transparent colonies at a rate of 1 in 10⁵ .

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Pneumococcal meningitis can occur when the Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria invade the bloodstream, cross the blood-brain barrier and multiply within the fluid surrounding the spine and brain.

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People with pneumococcal meningitis often have:
high fever
headache
stiff neck
nausea and vomiting
photophobia (discomfort when looking at light).

The classic symptoms may be difficult to detect in infants and the child may only appear to be inactive, irritable, feeding poorly and may be vomiting.

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There are vaccines available to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. These vaccines protect against the most common serotypes that cause infection. There is no vaccine available to protect against all of the known serotypes, so vaccination will not provide complete protection. Immunization is routinely given to all children. The first dose of pneumococcal vaccine, in combination with other vaccines, is now recommended to be given at 6 weeks of age.

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Complications of Pneumococcal meningitis 

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Complications of Pneumococcal meningitis 

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Streptococcus pneumoniae induce the inflammatory defenses of the host once inside the central nervous system. The brain damage that occurs during meningitis is mostly attributable to the side effects of the host’s own inflammatory response. Radical oxygen species produced by leucocytes may contribute to brain damage incurred during meningitis, and this can occur via radical oxygen species attacking polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can damage cell membranes and lead to loss of membrane function. The most effective methods of preventing brain damage in addition to sterilization of the central nervous system will be to control and interfere with the inflammatory pathways that lead to brain damage during pneumococcal meningitis infections.

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If you have pneumococcal meningitis, you’ll immediately be admitted to the hospital. You’ll then be treated with antibiotics. Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic that’s commonly used to treat this condition. However, it’s not the only option and is often used along with other antibiotics. Other possible antibiotics for bacterial meningitis include:

vancomycin

ampicillin

benzylpenicillin

cefotaxime

chloramphenicol

penicillin

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Pneumococcal meningitis is transmitted from one person to another. The bacteria are spread through direct contact with the tiny droplets from an infected person's mouth, throat, or nose. For example, if someone with the infection coughs or sneezes on or near you, you may contract the disease.

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Individuals at risk for Pneumococcall diseases

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Individuals at risk for Pneumococcall diseases

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Pneumococcal disease occurs around the world.  Travelers may be at higher risk if spending time in crowded settings or in close contact with children in countries where pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not routinely used.  Pneumococcal disease is more common in developing countries. Pneumococcal disease is also more common during winter and early spring but occurs year-round in the tropics. Outbreaks of pneumococcal disease are uncommon in countries that have introduced the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, but may occur in certain situations, such as in nursing homes, childcare centers, or other institutions. Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumococcal disease. This high-risk group includes adults 65 years of age or older and children younger than 2 years of age. People who have conditions that weaken the immune system, like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and HIV/AIDS, or people who smoke cigarettes or have asthma are also at increased risk for getting pneumococcal disease.