Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)

A 33 year old female in the hospital recovering from a splenectomy presents with sudden onset of chills, cough, and pleuritic pain. On further examination, she has a fever and produces rusty-colored sputum. There is dullness to percussion, bronchial breath sounds, and tactile fremitus with egophony and inspiratory crackles.

Labs: Gram stain of sputum shows gram positive diplococci and numerous WBCs. Culture of blood and sputum gives an organism is alpha-hemolytic, bile soluble and sensitive to optochin.