Streptococcus pneumoniae

Laboratory identification

• Gram positive cocci
• catalase negative
• lyse with bile

Features

• Capsule

Colonises

• oropharynx
• lungs
• paranasal sinuses
• middle ear

Diseases

• Pneumonia
• Sinusitis
• Otitis media
• Meningitis
• Bacteraemia

Treatment

• Penicillin
• cephalosporin
• erythromycin
• chloramphenicol

Prophylaxis

• a vaccine (Pneumovax) is available