Streptococcus pneumoniae

 

This Gram positive coccus is most frequently found in pairs of spherical or ovoid cells. Cells are catalase negative and exhibit facultatively anaerobic metabolism. Grows at temperatures from 25-40 C. This species is bile soluble. It is isolated from the upper respiratory tract and body secretions of humans and is found in domestic animals only rarely.  Besides being a cause of pneumonia, it also is involved in sinus infections, ear infections, and can enter the blood to cause a diverse range of infections including meningitis, endocarditis, peritonitis, and many more.