What part of the body does Streptococcus pneumoniae attack?

What part of the body does Streptococcus pneumoniae attack?

Pneumococcal disease is caused by common bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae) that can attack different parts of the body. When these bacteria invade the lungs, they can cause pneumonia; when they invade the bloodstream, they can cause sepsis; and when they invade the covering of the brain, they can cause meningitis.

Where does Streptococcus pneumoniae infect?

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of middle ear infections, sepsis (blood infection) in children and pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. It can also cause meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord) or sinus infections.

How does Streptococcus pneumoniae invade the body?

Access to the bloodstream by S. pneumoniae may occur through several pathways including via the lymphatics, via cell damage to the epithelial and endothelial cells, and via direct invasion of endothelial cells. Most likely all three pathways contribute to bloodstream invasion in an infected animal.

How does Streptococcus pneumoniae affect the respiratory system?

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, septicemia, and sinusitis to comparatively benign soft tissue infections. The pneumococcus can also colonize the upper respiratory tract.

How does S pneumoniae spread?

Transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae occurs as the result of direct person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets. The pneumococcal serotypes most often responsible for causing infection are those most frequently found in carriers.

What is strep in the lungs?

Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of your lungs caused by certain bacteria. The most common one is Streptococcus (pneumococcus), but other bacteria can cause it too. If you’re young and basically healthy, these bacteria can live in your throat without causing any trouble.

How does Streptococcus bacteria enter the body?

These bacteria are spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected people or by contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin. The risk of spreading the infection is highest when a person is ill, such as when people have “strep throat” or an infected wound.

What is the habitat of Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Streptococcus pneumoniae exclusively inhabit human beings and are mesophillic, meaning they optimally inhabit areas with temperatures ranging from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. Streptococcus pneumoniae are most commonly found in the human upper respiratory tract, specifically in the nasopharynx (the nasal passages).

What environments and sources are associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae?

How does S. pneumoniae spread?

How does Streptococcus pneumoniae spread?

What kills Streptococcus pneumoniae?

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Where are diplococci bacteria found in the human body?

Like some of the other diplococci, Enterococcus faecium is a commensal that co-exist with the host (human beings) without causing harm. In humans, the organism can be found in the gastrointestinal tract where it can cause diseases under given conditions.

Where does division of Streptococcus pneumoniae take place?

However, the mode and mechanism of division also help influence the type of shape that a given type of bacteria will have. For Streptococcus pneumoniae, as is the case with the other diplococci bacteria, division occurs in the parallel plane perpendicular to the long axis.

Can a diplococci be confused with a Neisseria?

Coccobacilli of the genus Acinetobacter they take on the appearance of diplococci in body fluids and culture media. Due to this appearance, they can be confused with the species of Neisseria leading to gonorrhea, meningitis, and septicemia.

How is S.pneumoniae distinguished from viridans streptococci?

S. pneumoniae can be differentiated from the viridans streptococci, some of which are also alpha-hemolytic, using an optochin test, as S. pneumoniae is optochin-sensitive.