A patient presents with signs of pneumonia. The bacterium obtained from sputum was a gram positive cocci which showed alpha hemolysis on sheep agar. Which of the following test will help to confirm the diagnosis?
The bacteria in the question which is a gram positive cocci showing alpha hemolysis on sheep agar is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Optochin sensitivity and bile solubility tests can confirm its diagnosis. Ref: Essentials of Diagnostic Microbiology By Lisa Anne Shimeld, 1998, Page 120; The Science of Laboratory Diagnosis By David Burnett (Ph. D.), David Burnett, John Crocker, 2005, Page 138
Bile solubility
Coagulase test
Bacitracin sensitivity
CAMP test