Question

Analysis of the second swab has confirmed that the causative organism is Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive organism. Imagine that you are the technician looking at the Gram stain from Shelly's culture. What would you expect to see as you look through the microscope?

pink, rod-shaped organisms arranged in pairs

purple, spherical-shaped organisms arranged in grapelike clusters

pink, spherical-shaped organisms arranged in chainlike formations

purple, spherical-shaped organisms arranged in chainlike formations

Answer 1

Streptococcus pyogenes

Explanation:

On looking through the microscope we will see purple, spherical-shaped organisms arranged in chainlike formations.

The reasons are:

• Streptococcus pyrogenes is a gram positive bacteria and hence it will take up Gram's stain and appear purple in color.

• Streptococci are colonial bacteria that are spherical in structure arranged in chain like formations.

Streptococcus pyogenes usually inhabit the skin of humans and are causative organisms of several infections such as tonsilitis, pharyngitis cellulitis, dermal infections etc.