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Streptococcus pneumoniae on blood agar in detail. Cultivated 24 hours in an aerobic
atmosphere enriched with 5% carbon dioxide, 37°C.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is part of the normal upper respiratory tract flora, but, as with many natural flora, it can become pathogenic under the right conditions (e.g., if the immune system of the host is suppressed).
S. pneumoniae is normally found in the nasopharynx of 5-10% of healthy adults, and 20-40% of healthy children. It can be found in higher amounts in certain environments, especially those where people are spending a great deal of time in close proximity
to each other (day care centers, military barracks).
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