Streptococcus pneumoniae
General:
Clinical:
- Normal: Respiratory flora.
- Abnormal: Community acquired pneumonia, bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, sinusitis, otitis media.
Resistance: Developing resistance to penicillins.
Morphology: Gram+ lancet-shaped cocci usually seen in pairs, some strains encapsulated.
Growth characteristics: Alpha-hemolytic mucoid colonies (later become concave or punched-out) on blood agar preferably at 5% CO2. Over 80 serotypes; capsular swelling in presence of type-specific antibody is called a quellung reaction.
Common/important pathogens:
;){kind=link}