α HEMOLYTIC -

STREPTOCOCCI

KELVIN B. SUREJA
ROLL NO. 87
 CLASSIFICATION
• 3 types of streptococci
– α HEMOLYTIC - STREPTOCOCCI
– β HEMOLYTIC - STREPTOCOCCI
– γ HEMOLYTIC - STREPTOCOCCI
 α HEMOLYTIC -
STREPTOCOCCI
• Exhibit incomplete hemolysis which
impairs greenish discoloration around
the colony.
• It includes 2 species
1. Streptococci pneumoniae (Pneumococci)
2. Viridans streptococci
Streptococcus pneumoniae
( Diplococcus pneumoniae)
Pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae infections

lobar pneumonia
otitis media
sinusitis
bacteremia
meningitis
arthritis

Streptococcus pneumoniae is currently the

leading cause of invasive bacterial disease in
children and the elderly.
Morphological Characteristics of S. pneumoniae

• Gram-positive, lancet-shaped cocci (elongated cocci with

a slightly pointed outer curvature)

• Usually seen as pairs (diplococci)

• Individual cells range from 0.5 to 1.25 micrometers in

diameter

• Non motile; non spore-forming

• Capsulated

• Catalase-negative
Cultural characteristics:

• Fastidious bacterium,aerobic and facultatively anaerobic

grows best in 5% carbon dioxide

• Enriched medium :Usually cultivated in blood broth or on

blood agar

• Some fresh clinical isolates require fully anaerobic

conditions

• Growth requires a source of catalase (e.g. blood) to

neutralize the large amount of H2O2 produced by the
bacteria.
Cultural characteristics:

• A zone of alpha (green) hemolysis seen on blood

agar

• Serotype 3 and 7 produce mucoid colonies

Production of excessive capsular
polysaccharides

• Liquid medium - uniform turbidity

Cotton wool deposit by non capsulated variants
Identification of pneumococci from other streptococci

• Gram-positive staining
• alpha hemolysis
• bile solubility (deoxycholate lysis)
• optochin sensitivity
 Cell Surface
Structure
Capsule

• composed of polysaccharide

• interferes with phagocytosis by

preventing C3b
opsonization
Cell Surface
Structure

Surface Proteins

• Five penicillin binding proteins (PBPs)

• Two neuraminidases

• IgA protease : organisms colonize pharyngeal mucosa

Pathogenicity

Capsule : Viulence

Common Infecting types: Types 1-12 in adults

Types 6,14,19,23 in children
Types
1,3,7,8 and 12 : Invasive types,serious infections
3 : most virulent

Predisposing factors:
Abnormality of respiratory tract : Viral infection etc…
Alcohol or Anesthesia :Convulsions decrease cough reflex
Circulatory problems: Pulmonary oedema
Others: Malnutrition,Sickle cell anemia,Hyposplenism..
Complications

Death occurs in 14% of hospitalized adults with invasive

disease.
Transmission

Person to person, by aerosol

Treatment

Prompt treatment with beta lactam antibiotics is usually

effective.

However, the number of penicillin-resistant pneumococcal

infections is increasing. These cases require treatment with
more powerful antibiotics or combinations of antimicrobial
agents.
VIRIDANS STREPTOCOCCI
• It typically shows α hemolysis on blood agar
but some strains are non-haemolytic.
• General property
– Micro aerophilic
– Protein rich medium is required for growth
• Principal species
1. S. mitis – Endocarditis
2.S. sanguis - Endocarditis
3.S. mutans – Endocarditis & Dental
carries
4.S. salivarius – rarely Endocarditis