Depending on the nature of infection an appropriate sample is collected for laboratory identification. Pneumococci are typically gram-positive cocci seen in pairs or chains. When cultured on blood agar plates with added optochin antibiotic disk they show alpha-hemolytic colonies and a clear zone of inhibition around the disk indicating sensitivity to the antibiotic. Pneumococci are also bile soluble. Just like other streptococci they are catalase-negative. A Quellung test can identify specific capsular polysaccharides.<unk>  antigen (cell wall C polysaccharide) may be detected in various body fluids. Older detection kits, based on latex agglutination, added little value above Gram staining and were occasionally false-positive. Better results are achieved with rapid immunochromatography, which has a sensitivity (identifies the cause) of 70–80% and >90% specificity (when positive identifies the actual cause) in<unk> s. The test was initially validated on urine samples but has been applied successfully to other body fluids. Chest X-rays can also be conducted to confirm inflammation though are not specific to the causative agent.
Pneumococcal infection
Group A streptococcal infection
Group B streptococcal infection
Side effects of penicillin
Arcanobacterium haemolyticum infection
Staphylococcal infection
Influenza
Influenza 