Fatal meningitis in a previously healthy young adult caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 38: an emerging serotype?
BACKGROUND
In December 2001, a fatal case of pneumococcal meningitis in a Marine Corps recruit was identified. As pneumococcal vaccine usage in recruit populations is being considered, an investigation was initiated into the causative serotype.


METHODS
Traditional and molecular methods were utilized to determine the serotype of the infecting pneumococcus. The pneumococcal isolate was identified as serotype 38 (PS38), a serotype not covered by current vaccine formulations. The global significance of this serotype was explored in the medical literature, and found to be a rare but recognized cause of carriage and invasive disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential of PS38 to cause severe disease is documented in this report. Current literature does not support the hypothesis that this serotype is increasing in incidence. However, as we monitor the changing epidemiology of pneumococcal illness in the US in this conjugate era, PS38 might find a more prominent and concerning niche as a replacement serotype.
Baker
Carolyn I
CI
Department of Defense Center for Deployment Health Research, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California, USA. caro@henrywu.net
Barrozo
Christopher P
CP
Ryan
Margaret A K
MA
Pearse
Lisa A
LA
Russell
Kevin L
KL
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012703:Serotyping; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents