Final answer:
Pneumococcal pneumonia, commonly known as streptococcus pneumonia, is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can be treated with antibiotics, although resistance is an issue, making vaccines an important preventive measure. The key treatments and preventive measures include ß-Lactams, fluoroquinolones, and pneumococcal vaccines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pneumococcal pneumonia, also known as streptococcus pneumonia, is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. This gram-positive, alpha hemolytic streptococcus is a part of the normal microbiota of the human respiratory tract but can cause disease when it enters the alveoli and evades phagocytic clearance by the immune system. Its virulence factors, like Lyt A and pneumolysin O, contribute to the disease's severity by promoting bacterial adherence, damaging host cells, and enhancing inflammatory responses.
Treatment of pneumococcal infections typically involves antibiotics such as ß-Lactams (penicillin), but due to increasing resistance, alternatives like macrolides and fluoroquinolones may be prescribed. Prevention is possible with vaccines, including the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), which are particularly recommended for children under 2 years and adults over 65 years old.