Question

A 9 year-old boy complained of fever and sore throat over a 3-day period. On examination by his physician, the patient's pharynx was red and both tonsils were swollen. Pronounced cervical lymphadenopathy was present. A swab of the tonsillar area was taken and inoculated to a sheep blood agar plate. After 24 hours of incubation, small, shiny, translucent colonies showing

The most likely causative agent.

Key tests to be performed on the bacterial isolate for identification

Non-culture assays available for the rapid identification of the isolate

Answer 1

Answer: The boy complained of fever as well as sore throat over a 3 day period. The physician examined and found out it to be cervical lymphadenopathy. In lymphadenopathy the spelling of the throat occurs. This is generally caused by the bacterial or viral infection as both bacteria and viruses can cause swollen cervical lymph nodes. In the case of bacterial infection the bacterias responsible are either streptococcal or staphylococcal. Biopsy may be helpful for the treatment, as antibiotics are generally given to the patient suffering from bacterial infection after the confirmation.