County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-7941
Fax: (213) 482-4856
E-Mail:acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov
Have questions about things like where to go for vaccinations or
other health care
services?
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Acute Communicable Disease Control
Pneumococcal Disease (Streptococcus
pneumoniae)
Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of serious
illness in children and adults. It is caused by a common
bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can
lead to serious infections in the lungs (pneumonia), the
blood (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain
(meningitis) but may also cause sinus and middle ear
infections. Issues of interest include the increasing
resistance of S. pneumoniae to antibiotics and
the recent availability of a new vaccine to protect
children at highest risk, those less than 5 years of
age.
Effective 10/1/02, all laboratories and health care
providers are required to report any cases of invasive
pneumococcal disease (IPD). Reporting IPD is important
because of significant morbidity and mortality
associated with this disease, the introduction of the
new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar), and the
increasing trends of antimicrobial resistance.
Nationwide, the proportion of penicillin nonsusceptible
S. pneumoniae increased from 10% to 25%. IPD
surveillance will allow for tracking County-wide
antimicrobial resistance patterns. The data will also
help physicians make appropriate antibiotic treatment
choices.
Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of serious
illness in children and adults. It is caused by a common
bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can
lead to serious infections in the lungs (pneumonia), the
blood (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain
(meningitis) but may also cause sinus and middle ear
infections. Issues of interest include the increasing
resistance of S. pneumoniae to antibiotics and
the recent availability of a new vaccine to protect
children at highest risk, those less than 5 years of
age.