Streptococcus pneumoniae, Invasive, (Children <5 years) (Invasive Pneumococcal Disease)
Streptococcus pneumoniae causes many clinical syndromes, depending on the site of infection (e.g., acute otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia, or meningitis). Starting in 2000, a conjugate pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for prevention of pneumococcal disease in the pediatric population.
Laboratory criteria for diagnosis
Isolation of S. pneumoniae from a normally sterile site (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or, less commonly, joint, pleural, or pericardial fluid)
Case classification
Confirmed: a clinically compatible case in a child less than 5 years of age caused by laboratory-confirmed culture of S. pneumoniae from a normally sterile site
See also Streptococcal Toxic-Shock Syndrome.