Education and debate

Fortnightly Review: The pneumococcal problem

BMJ 1996; 312 doi: 10.1136/bmj.312.7045.1521 (Published 15 June 1996)
Cite this as: BMJ 1996;312:1521

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  1. S K Obaro, honorary lecturer in paediatric immunologya,
  2. M A Monteil, senior clinical lecturera,
  3. D C Henderson, principal immunologista
  1. a Department of Immunology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London SW10 9NH
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Henderson.
  • Accepted 24 April 1996

Abstract

Summary points

  • Mortality from bacteraemic pneumonia has remained unchanged at 25% over the last 40 years

  • Globally, Streptococcus pneumoniae causes over 1 million deaths in children under the age of 5 years

  • Antibiotic resistant strains of S pneumoniae are increasing world wide. In Spain over 50% of isolates are resistant to one or more antibiotics

  • Patients at increased risk of severe pneumococcal infection should be:

Footnotes

    • Accepted 24 April 1996
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