Chapter 20, Problem 2SA

Summary Introduction

To answer:

The two types of ways the pneumococci “hide” inside the body cells.

Introduction:

Louis Pasteur discovered Streptococcus pneumoniae in pneumonia patients about 120 years ago. The bacterium is an encapsulated Gram-positive coccus, which forms short chains or pairs. In fact, it was once classified in its own genus, "Diplococcus." Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of meningitis in children less than 5 years old and in very old adults.