Pneumococcus

Pneumococcus

Synonym: Streptococcus pneumonia.

Habitat: Usually upper respiratory tract.

Morphology Pneumococcus:

Shape: lancet shaped.

Size: I µm in diameter.

Arrange: In pair or short chains.

Flagella: Absent.

Spore : Absent.

Capsule: Present.

Motility: Non –motile.

Optochin: Sensitive.

Bile : soluble.

Staining: They are gram –positive.

Cultural character Pneumococcus:

1. Facultative anaerobes.
2. Optimum Ph :7.6 to 7.8
3. Optimum temperature : 37°C.
4. Growth:
   (a)Blood agar media: colonies are flat &smooth .(b)Chocolate agar media : Colonies produce well marked greenish discoloration.(c)Loffler serum: Discrete moist colonies.(d)Serum broth: Moderate turbidity.

5. Optochin sencitivity:The test is done on a blood agar plate containing filter paper disc impregnated with optochin (ethyl hydrocuprein hydrochloride) S.pneumoniae is opt chin sensitive.

Biochemical character:

1. Pneumococcus ferment various sugars.
2. Produce lactic acid but no gas.