Pneumococcal pneumonia

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious lung infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as the pneumococcus. It is the most common form of bacterial pneumonia in adults and the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia worldwide. This infection can lead to severe respiratory illness, especially in vulnerable populations. Symptoms of P. pneumonia often appear suddenly and may include chest pain, a cough that produces rusty or blood-streaked sputum, fever, chills, rapid or difficult breathing, and shortness of breath. In older adults, the presentation may differ, with confusion or low alertness being more prominent than the typical respiratory symptoms.

Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. While small children often carry S. pneumoniae in their nose and throat without becoming ill, certain groups, especially elderly individuals with comorbidities, are at heightened risk for developing pneumococcal pneumonia.

Diagnosis of P. pneumonia typically involves a physical examination, chest X-rays, and laboratory testing of blood or sputum samples to confirm the presence of S. pneumoniae. The drug of choice to treat P. pneumonia is benzylpenicillin or penicillin G. Early identification and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes, as untreated pneumococcal pneumonia can progress rapidly and lead to serious complications and death.

WHO - Pneumococcal Disease

Differential Abundance Analysis Results

This section presents the results of the differential protein abundance analysis, visualized through a volcano plot and summarized in the accompanying table for all three comparisons: 1) disease vs. healthy samples, 2) disease vs. diseases from the same class, and 3) disease vs. all other diseases.