Severe pneumococcal infection: a one year survey.
Invasive pneumococcal infection is a major health problem with considerable mortality. In most patients the diagnosis is relatively straightforward but this study points out that in many, especially children, it is difficult because of a lack of clinical signs of septicaemia. While chronic respiratory disease is a major predisposing factor, malignancy and immune disorders are also common underlying features. Certain risk groups may benefit considerably from vaccination. The treatment of established infection is now complicated by the emergence of resistant strains, but penicillin remains the mainstay of therapy.
Corcoran
G D
GD
MacMahon
E
E
Cooper
P
P
Keane
C T
CT
D000293:Adolescent; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality