Streptococcus pneumoniae infection risk factors

Streptococcus pneumoniae infection Microchapters
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Classification Community Acquired Pneumonia Endocarditis Sinusitis Bronchitis Meningitis
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Risk Factors

The risk of pneumococcal infection is much increased in persons with impaired IgG synthesis, impaired phagocytosis, or defective clearance of pneumococci. In particular, the absence of a functional spleen, through congenital asplenia, splenectomy, or sickle-cell disease predisposes one to a more severe course of infection (Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection) and prevention measures are indicated (see asplenia).