The Specific Prophylaxis of Pneumococcus and of Streptococcus Meningitis: Ii. Vaccine Prophylaxis

Abstract

Fortunately while pneumococcus and streptococcus meningitis are uncommon complications of paranasal sinusitis, otitis media and mastoiditis, yet the dreadful mortality of these meningeal infections, despite newer methods of treatment,1 warrants serious consideration of the possible value of immunologic measures for their prevention.In a previous communication 2 we have shown that pneumococcus meningitis of rabbits, especially that produced by type I pneumococcus, may be prevented by the administration of Felton's antipneumococcus serum.The results with types II and III pneumococci were less pronounced but not without some encouragement, as was likewise the prevention of streptococcus meningitis, produced with a hemolytic strain, by the administration of antistreptococcus serum with special reference to scarlet fever antitoxin.On the basis of these results we advised the more frequent bacteriologic examination of the secretions in cases of paranasal sinusitis and mastoiditis before or during operation and the prompt administration of polyvalent antipneumococcus or antistreptococcus serum to those in whom the surgeon feared the possible development of meningitis.