‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Prof. Khalifa Sifaw Ghenghesh
 Diplococcus pneumoniae or
Pneumococcus
 Gram +ve Coccus, Encapsulated,
Occur in Pairs with Broad Ends
Opposed.
 Requires Enriched Media for Growth.

 Growth Enhanced by 0.1% Glucose

and 5-10% CO2.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
 Colonies on Blood Agar
 1 mm in Diameter, Round, Domed and
Surrounded by a Zone of -Haemolysis.
 On Prolonged Incubation:
"Draughtsman" Colonies.
 Some Strains > Mucoid Colonies.
 In Broth > Short Chains or Isolated Cocci.
 Soluble in Bile.
 Sensitive to Optochin (Ethylhydrocuprein
Hydrochloride).
 VIRULENCE FACTORS
 Capsular Polysacharide > Antiphagocytic.
– Repeated Subculturing in the Presence of
Specific Anticapsular Antibody Results in Non-
Capsulated Strains.
 Non-Capsulated Strains > Avirulent >
"R" Colonies.
 "S" Colonies >> Virulent.

Capsule Can Be Demonstrated by:

1. "Quelling Reaction" or “Capsular Swelling
Test”:
2. Addition of India Ink:
 CLINICAL INFECTION
 Pneumococcal Infections of the
Respiratory Tract.

 Causes Disease of the Middle Ear,

Paranasal Sinuses, Mastoides and the
Lung Paranchyma.

 Meningitis, Endocarditis and

Peritonitis.

 Pneumococcal Bacteraemia.
Pneumococcal Meningitis
 LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
1. Specimens:
 Sputum:
i. Should Show a Predominance of Pus Cells Rather
Than Squamous Epithelial Cells of Buccal Origin.

ii. The Specimen is Then Homogenized by an Agent

(e.g. N-Acetylcysteine).

 CSF Deposit: From Cases of Meningitis.

 Blood: Patients with Pneumococcal

Pneumonia and Meningitis.
2. Isolation and Identification:
Gram Stain BA

Incubate in 5-10% CO2/

Overnight

 - Haemolytic Colonies

Susceptibility to Optochin

Sensitive >> Strep. Pneumoniae

Resistant >> Strep. viridans
TREATMENT
 Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Erythromycin,
Tetracycline, Clindamycin, Vancomycin
and Ciprofloxacin.

 Resistance:
Streptococcus viridans