Pneumonia, meningitis and other pneumococcal diseases: the importance of vaccination
22/07/2025
Ángela Domínguez García et al.
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Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences
Ángela Domínguez García et al.
Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences
The bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus was discovered in 1881 almost simultaneously by Louis Pasteur and George Miller Sternberg, and has since then been recognized as a cause of various diseases.
Although S. pneumoniae infection may be mild or harmless — the presence of the organism in the nasopharynx causes no symptoms — it is known — and feared — for causing serious illnesses such as invasive pneumonia (pneumonia with blood-borne dissemination of pneumococcus), meningitis, bacteremia, arthritis and endocarditis.
Vaccination is a very effective form of protection, especially for young children, older people and individuals with health problems. It dates back to 1926, when it was shown that the bacterium’s capsule (a structure surrounding its surface) provided immunity. Antisera developed using animals reduced mortality from pneumococcal infection from 25% to 7.5%.
Soon after, the introduction of penicillin also led to a significant decrease in deaths from pneumococcal infections. However, antibiotic pressure later led to high levels of penicillin resistance.
This article was originally published in The Conversation.
Vaccination is a very effective form of protection, especially for young children, older people and individuals with health problems. It dates back to 1926, when it was shown that the bacterium’s capsule (a structure surrounding its surface) provided immunity. Antisera developed using animals reduced mortality from pneumococcal infection from 25% to 7.5%.
Soon after, the introduction of penicillin also led to a significant decrease in deaths from pneumococcal infections. However, antibiotic pressure later led to high levels of penicillin resistance.
This article was originally published in The Conversation.