8. Isolation and biochemical characterization of Streptococus pneumoniae from throat swabs and sputum of children and adult in Quetta District
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Abstract
The human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the main causative agents of respiratory tract infections. This study aims to isolate the S. pneumoniae from children and adults affected from throat infections in different hospitals in Quetta District. The sputum samples and throat swabs were collected from the adults and children suspected for suffering from respiratory tract infection on the source of clinical symptom. When the samples were analyzed on Columbia blood agar plates, among (120) samples, (40) isolates produced 2-1 mm in diameter alpha hemolytic colonies. In fresh culture the colonies were raised but later became flattened with raised edges, giving them a ringed appearance. Alpha hemolysis was produced underneath and zone was narrow around colonies on Columbia blood agar following incubation at 37°C in 5-10% CO2. On selective media; Crystal Violet Nalidixic Acid Gentamycin (CVNG) blood agar all (40) isolates produced small, flat, draughtsman type colonies with greenish alpha hemolysis. When the colonies from CVNG were streaked on MacConkey agar, no growth had appeared. S. pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an essential pathogen of human that causes both delicate upper respiratory infections and serious invasive infections like septicaemia, meningitis and pneumonia. The proper management is important for the treatment of pneumonia patients.
Keywords: Characterization; District; Pneumoniae; Quetta; Streptococus