[Epidemiology of systemic Streptococcus pneumoniae infections].
OBJECTIVE
Invasive pneumococcal infections (bactereimia and meningitis) and pneumonia raise an authentic public health problem. We examined the epidemiology of these three different diseases.


METHODS
For bacteremia and meningitis, data were collected from the National Public Health network in France. Incidence of pneumonia was calculated by applying ratios published in the literature to three different types of incidence data (bacteremia, pneumonia hospitalizations in Haute-Savoie and community acquired pneumonia in general practices).


RESULTS
Annual incidence of meningitis was almost 1 per 100,000 inhabitants and 86 per 100,000 for bacteremia. Incidence was highest infants (< 5 years) and the elderly (> 65 years). All three of the calculation methods gave a convergent estimation of pneumonia cases with an average 132,000 cases per year, i.e., 220 per 100,000 inhibitants. This incidence was higher above 60 years of age. Death rate was unknown. Only 2.8% of the death certificates mentioned pneumonia. This give between 5,900 and 15,484 deaths, including 95% after the age of 60.


CONCLUSIONS
Pneumococcal infections remain an authentic public health problem, both in terms of morbidity and mortality.
Gaillat
J
J
Service des Maladies infectieuses, Centre Hospitalier de la Région annécienne, Annecy.
D000368:Aged; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000453:epidemiology; D009017:Morbidity; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae
Epidémiologie des infections systémiques à Streptococcus pneumoniae.