Lebanese Interhospital Pneumococcal Surveillance Program (LIPSP)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a bacterium that causes severe infections in children and adults such as meningitis, pneumonia, and blood stream infection. There are many types of these bacteria defined by the type of sugar coat that they have. These are classified as serotypes. There are common serotypes that cause severe disease and are preventable by vaccination of children. Other less common types are more difficult to prevent. The investigators aim to determine the serotypes that cause invasive pneumococcal disease in Lebanon and to study their sensitivity to different antibiotics. The investigators will collect bacterial isolates from different hospitals in Lebanon isolated from the blood or spinal fluid of patients with invasive pneumococcal disease. This information will help the investigators determine the usefulness of available pneumococcal vaccines in preventing these infections. The data will be distributed to all primary care physicians treating children in Lebanon and will be shared with the Ministry of Health.