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A new superbug that causes meningitis and pneumonia in kids has public health officials worried: Serotype 19A of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium eludes most antibiotics and a vaccine intended to prevent infection.

Rates of meningitis, pneumonia and bloodstream infections from the dangerous strain have increased from 2 in 100,000 children in 2001 to more than 10 per 100,000, the New York Times reports today. At the same time, life-threatening infections among the elderly have gone up fourfold, the newspaper notes.

The eight-year-old Prevnar vaccine inoculates infants and toddlers against seven strains of the bacteria that caused 70 percent to 80 percent of pneumococcus infections in the '90s, and within two years of its 2000 introduction, rates of those illnesses had fallen by 80 percent in some places. But the four-shot series never protected against serotype 19A, and now its manufacturer, Wyeth, is racing to develop a next-gen shot against that and five additional strains, the company's head of vaccine research and development, Emilio Emini, told the Times.

Health authorities said the vaccine isn't to blame for the rise in resistant strains of the bacteria. Still, the phenomenon suggests that Prevnar may have to be updated like the flu shot, the Pharmalot blog noted in a post last year about a surge in ear infections from serotype 19A. Scientists make new flu vaccine annually, based on the strains they guess will be most common in a given year.

(Image by iStockphoto/Carmen Martínez Banús)

1 Comments

1. 1. MUSAorg 02:59 AM 10/26/08

   The Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA), a national organization, would like the public and media to know that information is available regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of meningitis. MFA was founded by parents whose children were affected by meningitis. In addition to supporting vaccines and other means of preventing meningitis, the MFA provides information to educate the public and medical professionals so that the early diagnosis, treatment and, most important, prevention of meningitis, will save lives. Meningitis is a dangerous and sometimes fatal inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord that can leave survivors with serious life-long physical problems such as deafness, brain damage and other disabilities, meningitis can sometimes result in loss of limbs. MFA would like to be considered as a news resource for the disease. For further information, visit the MFA website at www.musa.org.
   
   MFA is proud to announce the new C.I.S.S. Container Identification Scratch System
   When we participate in sporting events or mingle at social gatherings it is possible to lose track of our water bottles and/or beverage cans, especially those served in containers that are very similar or identical to a container from which you are drinking. This carries the risk of transmitting an illness, such as meningitis or the common cold or flu. The Container Identification Scratch System, or C.I.S.S., is a fun way to make sure you always know your drink from others. Use it at sporting events or at a family gatherings and reduce the waste from forgotten drinks. Simply scratch your number from the C.I.S.S. label and identify your drink. For more information please contact Bob Gold at Ciss.bob@gmail.com and www.musa.org
   
   Thank you,
   
   Meningitis Foundation of America
   P O Box 83602
   Phoenix, AZ 85071
   www.musa.org

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