Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of community acquired infections, particularly pneumonia, acute otitis media, sinusitis and exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Together with Haemophilus influenzae, it is an important cause of childhood meningitis. It is also a major cause of bacterial meningitis among adults. The emergence of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics in recent years has complicated the management of pneumococcal infections world-wide'. In some areas, penicillin resistant strains have become the predominant pneumococcal isolates2. Multiply resistant strains and those resistant to second and third generation cephalosporins are also increasingly reported'. Treatment of meningitis and acute otitis media caused by such strains is particularly problematic. (Copied from article).
Recurrent boils are troublesome enough to children and their parents to be finally referred to the paediatricians. This study attempts to provide local data on epidemiology, pattern of infections of offending organism especially Staphylococcus aureus and underlying immunological abnormality. This condition does not appear to be related to socio economic status nor is staphylococcal nasal cariage a direct contributing factor. Defect in neutrophil function especially the respiratory burst assayed via chemiluminescence response to Staphylococcus aureus is closely associated with this condition. It is hoped that this data would be a further impetus for further research into this exciting field.