Treatment and Prevention of Pneumococcal Infection.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, a gram-positive diplococcus, is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. The diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia is usually confirmed by chest x-ray and gram stain. The most appropriate antibiotics for treatment pneumococcal infection are macrolides, beta-lactams, and quinolones. Two vaccines, PPSV23 and PCV13, are highly effective in preventing infection.