Streptococcus pneumoniae
Testing for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA in human biological material by real-time PCR. Category «Respiratory tract infections»
Characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium of the genus Streptococcus and is one of the most common causative agents of community-acquired pneumonia, as well as acute otitis media, sinusitis, meningitis, and other pneumococcal infections. S. pneumoniae is transmitted primarily by respiratory droplets, as well as through direct contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person or an asymptomatic carrier, and predominantly colonizes the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Pneumococcal infection poses the greatest risk to children under 5 years of age, elderly people, and patients with chronic diseases, including immunodeficiency conditions.
Pathogenicity factors of S.pneumoniae
- a polysaccharide capsule that protects the bacterium from phagocytosis by interfering with the action of immune cells;
- pneumolysin, a pore-forming toxin that damages the alveolar epithelium, vascular endothelium, and immune cells;
- surface proteins that promote adhesion to the respiratory epithelium and colonization of mucous membranes;
- enzymes (hyaluronidase, neuraminidase) that facilitate the spread of infection by degrading sialic acids on the cell surface.
Upon entering the body, Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, from where it can spread to other organs, causing inflammatory reactions and a wide range of diseases.
- Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common manifestation of pneumococcal infection. It is characterized by sudden onset, fever, productive cough, and chest pain. Without timely diagnosis, generalized forms of the disease may develop, resulting in bacteremia and meningitis.
- Acute otitis media is one of the most common diseases caused by S. pneumoniae, particularly in young children. The disease is characterized by acute onset, severe ear pain, fever, and hearing loss.
- Acute bacterial sinusitis develops when infection spreads from the nasopharynx to the paranasal sinuses. Clinical manifestations include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headache, impaired sense of smell, and fever.
Acute bacterial sinusitis develops when infection spreads from the nasopharynx to the paranasal sinuses. Clinical manifestations include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headache, impaired sense of smell, and fever.
- bacteriological examination (culture), which makes it possible to identify the causative agent and determine its susceptibility to antibacterial agents;
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a highly sensitive method for detecting S. pneumoniae DNA in biological samples (nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, bronchoalveolar lavage, endotracheal aspirate, nasopharyngeal aspirate, sputum, pleural fluid).
Real-time PCR is the optimal method for the rapid diagnosis of pneumococcal infections.
Indications
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Diagnosis of upper and lower respiratory tract infections; -
Diagnosis of S. pneumoniae carriage; -
Examination of patients from risk groups with suspected pneumococcal infection.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
The reagent kit is intended for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA in patient biological material by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium of the genus Streptococcus. S. pneumoniae is one of the most common causative agents of community-acquired pneumonia and also causes a wide range of other diseases.
Sample: Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal smears; bronchoalveolar lavage; endotracheal, nasopharyngeal aspirate; phlegm; pleural fluid
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