The Presence of Gram-Positive Diplococci in a Sputum Sample Most

Question

The presence of gram-positive diplococci in a sputum sample most likely indicates an infection of
A) Streptococcus pyogenes.
B) Streptococcus pneumoniae.
C) Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
D) Bordetella pertussis.

Accepted Answer

Gram-positive diplococci are a characteristic feature of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is a common cause of respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Streptococcus pyogenes is a gram-positive cocci but usually occurs in chains, whereas Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Bordetella pertussis are gram-positive rods and coccobacilli, respectively, and are not associated with diplococci in sputum samples.