Blood cultures drawn when she was admitted grew three organisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, and Gram-positive cocci in chains. The Gram-positive cocci had pinpoint growth, ...

Gram-positive bacteria can cause a range of infections, from food poisoning to serious respiratory diseases. Some Gram-positive bacteria produce toxins that can cause lethal illnesses.

Using colony morphology on selected agars, Gram-stain morphology, and a number of 1-step biochemical or enzymatic tests, skilled microbiologists can identify the species of the majority of isolates ...