Invasive Pneumococcal Infection in Baltimore, Md

Abstract
STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE is a leading cause of infectious morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the United States, the pneumococcus is responsible for an estimated 50 000 cases of bacteremia, 3000 cases of meningitis, 7 million cases of otitis media, and several hundred thousand cases of pneumonia each year.1-4 The overall yearly incidence of pneumococcal bacteremia is estimated to be 15 to 35 cases per 100 000 population.5-8