Systemic Bacteriology · NEET PG Preparation Microbiology
A 55-year-old chronic alcoholic develops a severe, necrotizing pneumonia characterized by 'currant jelly' sputum. Gram stain of the sputum shows gram…
Practice question from Systemic Bacteriology (NEET PG Preparation Microbiology), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.
easy · MCQ · Q-E2D9A6
A 55-year-old chronic alcoholic develops a severe, necrotizing pneumonia characterized by 'currant jelly' sputum. Gram stain of the sputum shows gram-negative bacilli with prominent clear spaces surrounding them, indicative of a large capsule. The organism grows as mucoid, highly viscous colonies on MacConkey agar and is non-motile, lactose-fermenting, and urease-positive. Which organism is responsible?
- A.Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- B.Klebsiella pneumoniaeCorrect answer
- C.Legionella pneumophila
- D.Streptococcus pneumoniae
Solution
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a classic cause of Friedlander's pneumonia, seen often in alcoholics and diabetics. Key features include 'currant jelly' sputum, prominent polysaccharide capsule (accounting for the mucoid colonies and halo on Gram stain), lactose fermentation on MacConkey agar, and being urease-positive and non-motile.
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