The role of streptococcus pneumoniae in etiology of community-acquired pneumonia among adults

Abstract

Introduction. Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus) remains the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), however significant challenges regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this infection persist. Although pneumococcus is considered a common CAP etiological agent in children and in adults, the burden of this disease is considerably underestimated since the incidence data are derived largely from bacterial infections, though the most of pneumococcal infections are non-invasive.