Modern Approaches to Vaccinal Prevention of a Pneumococcal Infection in Adults Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (Literature Review)

Abstract

At present, pneumococcal infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world, being one of the ten leading causes of death worldwide. Some medical conditions, like diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with an increased risk of pneumococcal infections and vaccination was calculated to be highly cost-effective among those adults with an increased risk. The article analyzes world data on pneumococcal infection morbidity rate among diabetes mellitus patients and possible ways of reducing it through immunization. In December 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for prevention of pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease in adults aged ≥ 50 years. However, the efficacy of PCV in individuals with specific comorbidities is yet unknown. The article presents the findings of research which investigated the efficacy of antipneumococcal vaccination among diabetes mellitus patients. It also gives data of first-hand experience of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine use (Prevenar 13, Pfizer).

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• pneumococcal infections
• pneumococcal vaccination