Streptococcus pneumoniae infection risk factors
Template:Streptococcus pneumoniae Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
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).