Pneumoccoccus (pl. pneumococci), also known as streptococcus pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It can cause diseases like pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media. Pneumoccoccus can also colonize the upper respiratory tract which begins with the colonization of the nasopharynx. This allows a path for pneumoccocus to further traveling down into the lower respiratory tract and to eventually cause systemic diseases. “It has been estimated that the upper respira

tory tracts of 40% or more of children carry pneumococci.”(Upper and Lower…Capsule Type, introduction) In addition, healthy people can also be asymptom carriers of this type of bacteria. Depending on the age, the environment of the carrier and the presence of underlying respiratory infections, the carriage rate varies from 5% to 70% (Upper and Lower…Capsule Type, introduction). The pneumococcal polysaccharide capsule and the multifunctional pneumococcal toxin pneumolysin are important virulence factors because of their anti-phagocytic ability.

From other articles, it was suggested that pneumococci bind to at least two different types of receptors, and the receptors involved are different for nasopharyngeal cells and lung cells. Bacterial adherence is recognized to be the first step to the complete control of the respiratory surfaces. From the suggestion, it seems that “pneumoccocus has a wide range of molecules to utilize for colonization, but the identity of the host ligand u

Some topics in this essay:
Lower…Capsule Type, Mitchell Andrew, Rubins JB, Capsule Type, respiratory tract, Article Review, serotype 2, capsule type, lower…capsule type, upper lower…capsule type, Upper Lower…Capsule, upper lower…capsule, streptococcus pneumoniae, lower respiratory, lower respiratory tract, capsule type genetic, pneumococcal toxin pneumolysin, capsule-switched mutant, 3 strain, control respiratory, type genetic background,