Bacterium
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Lancet diplococci and capsule clue
STREP-toh-KOK-us noo-MOH-nee-eye
High-yield clue
Lancet-shaped diplococci + capsule + alpha-hemolysis is the study pattern.
Overview
A Gram-positive diplococcus frequently linked to capsule, alpha-hemolysis, optochin sensitivity, and respiratory-system educational cases.
Classification
- Gram-positive
- Diplococci
- Alpha-hemolytic
Lab & identification clues
- Optochin sensitivity is commonly taught
- Bile solubility is a classic lab distinction
- Capsule is high-yield
Associations
- Pneumonia vocabulary
- Meningitis vocabulary
- Otitis/sinusitis teaching associations
- Vaccine concept
Commonly confused with
- Viridans streptococci
- Neisseria meningitidis
Your notes
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.