| Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Bacillota |
| Class: | Bacilli |
| Order: | Lactobacillales |
| Family: | Streptococcaceae |
| Genus: | Streptococcus |
| Species: | S. pseudopneumoniae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae Arbique et al. 2004
| |
Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae is a gram-positive coccus that may cause pneumonia in humans.[1][2] It was first described in 2004.[1] The organism is often mistaken for S. pneumoniae[1] and its clinical importance is as yet uncertain. It seems likely that most cases of S. pseudopneumoniae pneumonia are misdiagnosed as S. pneumoniae.[2]
The bacterium has a number of features that allows it to be distinguished from S. pneumoniae:[2]
- There is no pneumococcal capsule (and is therefore not typable).[2]
- It is not soluble in bile.[2]
- It is sensitive to optochin when incubated in ambient air, but appears resistant or to have indeterminate susceptibility when incubated in 5% carbon dioxide.[2]
- Commercial DNA probe hybridization tests (e.g., AccuProbe Streptococcus pneumoniae culture identification test; Gen-Probe, San Diego, CA) are falsely positive.[2]
Penicillin is the treatment of choice.[2] Most reported isolates are resistant to erythromycin and to tetracycline.