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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae Using the Quellung Reaction
Published on: February 24, 2014
A Peculiar Case of Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae
Adeel Rafi Ahmed1, Liam Townsend1, Helen Tuite1
1Department of Infectious Disease, University Hospital Galway, UCHG, Newcastle Rd., Galway H91YR1, Ireland.
Abstract:
Patients commonly present to the emergency department with acute respiratory distress; however, the differentials are broad and at times difficult to distinguish. We describe a case of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) secondary to invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae. The patient was intubated within 3 h of presentation and suffered multiorgan failure within 72 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. This case is a stark illustration of how the most common bacteria associated with CAP can be fatal and highlights the associated markers of severity. It also outlines other potential complications including a very rare phenomenon of cardiomyopathy with myocarditis associated with S. pneumoniae bacteraemia.
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