The role of Pneumococcal vaccine.
Streptococcus pneumoniae pathologies represent a health problem of primary importance worldwide in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs. S. pneumoniae is the main aetiological agent of bacterial pneumonia, and is frequently involved in bacterial meningitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and upper airway pathologies. The high incidence, the level of morbidity and mortality due to pneumococcal pathology despite of adequate therapy, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains emphasize the importance of an effective vaccine strategy against this bacterium. The present review proposes an analysis of current vaccine strategies and their efficacy, with particular stress on their effectiveness in preventing pneumonia.
Braido
Fulvio
F
Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Genoa University, Pad. Maragliano, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy. fulvio.braido@unige.it
Bellotti
Michele
M
De Maria
Andrea
A
Cazzola
Mario
M
Canonica
Giorgio Walter
GW
D006801:Humans; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*
D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines