A 35yo man has a temp=39C, cough with purulent sputum and right sided chest pain on
inspiration. He has herpes labialis. What is the single most likely causative organism?
a. Coagulase +ve cocci in sputum
b. Gram -ve diplococci in sputum
c. Gram +ve diplococci in sputum
d. Pneumocystis carinii in sputum
e. Serology for legionella
Ans. The key is C. Gram +ve diplococcic in sputum. [High temperature, cough with purulent sputum, pleuritic chest pain and herpes labialis are recognized feature of pneumococcal pneumonia (pneumococcus=Gram +ve diplococci].