Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcal) Infections¹⁹⁵ 

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common bacterial cause of acute otitis media, sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, and pediatric conjunctivitis. Pleural empyema, mastoiditis, and periorbital cellulitis can occur. It is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in infants and children ages 2 months to 11 years in the United States. S pneumoniae also may cause endocarditis, pericarditis, peritonitis, pyogenic arthritis, osteomyelitis, soft tissue infection, and neonatal septicemia. Overwhelming septicemia in patients with splenic dysfunction is noted, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome can accompany pneumococcal infection.

S pneumoniae organisms (pneumococci) are lancet-shaped, gram-positive, catalase-negative diplococci. More than 90 pneumococcal...