<prompt> Which of the following statements about pneumococcus is falseCapsule aid in virulenceCommonest cause of otitis mediaCauses mild form of meningitisRespiratory tract of carriers is the most impoatnt source of infection  <response>: Meningitis is the most serious of pneumococcal infections. It is usually secondary to other pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis or conjunctivitis. Pneumococcal meningitis occurs at all ages. Untreated cases are almost invariably fatal. Even with antibiotic therapy, the case fatality rate is about 25 Reference: Textbook of Microbiology; Anathanarayan and panickers; 10th edition; Page no: 227 