UKMLA PLAB AMC USMLE Prometric MCQ

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram positive organism flame shaped and seen characteristically as diplococci (i.e. is in pairs) and capsulated. The organism grows on blood agar to form dome shaped centrally umblicated colonies and produces alpha hemolysis of the RBCs.  Staphylococcus aureus is not the correct answer since it is typically seen in clusters under the microscope when gram stained and also its colonies are raised and not dome shaped. It produces beta hemolysis on blood agar rather than alpha hemolysis .Klebsiella pneumoniae is also unlikely since it is a gram negative rather than gram positive organism. It will be seen under the microscope as rods rather then cocci. <br>Corynebacterium diphtheriae only causes an upper respiratory tract infection. It does not cause pneumonia so it cannot be brought up in the sputum.  Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause a pneumonia but is incorrect since it does not take up gram stain and also it does not grow on blood agar