Pneumococcal Vaccine: The Evidence Mounts
Authors: F. MARC LAFORCE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Editorials1 January 1986Pneumococcal Vaccine: The Evidence MountsF. MARC LAFORCE, M.D., THEODORE C. EICKHOFF, M.D.F. MARC LAFORCE, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, THEODORE C. EICKHOFF, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-104-1-110 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptPneumococcal infections have been considered as important diseases of earlier generations. Given the ease with which penicillin fights such infections, the Oslerian concept of the pneumococcus as "the captain of the men of death" (1) seems somewhat foreign and dated today. Nonetheless, infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae remain relatively common and have become more important in recent years because of the emergence of penicillin-resistant pneumococci in clinical isolates and the introduction of a polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine.Pneumococci contain polysaccharide capsules that are antiphagocytic; antibodies to the capsule greatly enhance phagocytosis. Thus, it seems biologically appropriate to expect that a polyvalent...References1. OSLER W. The Principles and Practice of Medicine. 4th ed. New York: D. Appleton; 1901:108. Google Scholar2. MACLEODHODGESHEIDELBERGERBERNHARD CRMW. Prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia by immunization with specific capsular polysaccharides. J Exp Med. 1945;82:445-65. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. KAUFMAN P. Pneumonia in old age: active immunization against pneumonia with pneumococcus polysaccharides: results of a six year study. Arch Intern Med. 1947;79:518-31. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. 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Some observations on the pneumococcus and on the current status of pneumococcal disease and its prevention. Rev Infect Dis. 1981;3(suppl):S1-17. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. AUSTRIAN R. A reassessment of pneumococcal vaccine [Editorial]. N Engl J Med. 1984;310:651-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. BROOMEFACKLAMFRASER CRD. Pneumococcal disease after pneumococcal vaccination: an alternative method to estimate the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccine. N Engl J Med. 1980;303:549-52. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. MUFSONOLEYHUGHEY MGD. Pneumococcal disease in a medium-sized community in the United States. JAMA. 1982;248:1486-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. Epidemiology of Respiratory Diseases: Task Force Report on Epidemiology of Respiratory Disease. Bethesda, Maryland: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute;1980. (NIH publication no. 81-2019.) Google Scholar15. LANDESMANSMITHSCHIFFMAN SPG. Pneumococcal vaccine in elderly patients with COPD. Chest. 1983;84:433-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. SHAPIROCLEMENS EJ. A controlled evaluation of the protective efficacy of pneumococcal vaccine for patients at high risk of serious pneumococcal infections. Ann Intern Med. 1984;101:325-30. LinkGoogle Scholar17. FEDSON D. Improving the use of pneumococcal vaccine through a strategy of hospital-based immunization: a review of its rationale and implications. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1985;33:142-50. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Colorado School of Medicine Veterans Administration Medical Center and Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Denver, Colorado PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByPneumococcal InfectionsPneumococcal InfectionsSplenectomy in Lymphoproliferative Disorders: A Report on 70 Cases and Review of the LiteratureInfection and immune response in the elderlyPneumococcal vaccination of elderly individualsPneumococcal InfectionsPneumococcal Vaccine: An Emerging ConsensusF. MARC LAFORCE, M.D., THEODORE C. EICKHOFF, M.D.Pneumococcal vaccine.Immunization Policies and Vaccine Coverage Among Adults The Risk for Missed OpportunitiesWALTER W. WILLIAMS, M.D., M.P.H., MEREDITH A. HICKSON, M.P.H., MARK A. KANE, M.D., ALAN P. KENDAL, Ph.D., JOHN S. SPIKA, M.D., ALAN R. HINMAN, M.D., M.P.H.Bacterial Vaccines for Splenectomized PatientsPneumococcal Vaccination in Splenectomized Patients with Hematological DisordersInefficacy of pneumococcal vaccine in a high-risk populationPneumococcal BacteremiaPneumococcal Vaccine FailureVaccines and antibody immunotherapy in surgical patientsVacunacion antineumococica: una llamada de atencionPulmonary Rehabilitation: Myth or Reality?Pneumococcal Pneumonia; Diagnostic, Epidemiologic, Therapeutic and Prophylactic ConsiderationsVaccination Against Pneumococcal InfectionPAUL DRINKA, M.D., MAVIS SIEWERT, R.N. 1 January 1986Volume 104, Issue 1Page: 110-112KeywordsAntibodiesInfectious diseasesPenicillinPhagocytosisPneumococcusPneumoniaPolysaccharidesStreptococcal infectionsStreptococcusVaccines Issue Published: 1 January 1986 PDF DownloadLoading ...