Optochin
Encyclopedia
Optochin is a chemical used in cell culture techniques for the presumptive identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae
, which is optochin-sensitive, from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci such as Streptococcus viridans
which are resistant. A common mnemonic is "OVRPS" (Optochin - Viridans Resistant, Pneumoniae Sensitive).
The growth of Bacteria
that are optochin sensitive will be inhibited around an optochin disc, while the growth of bacteria that are optochin resistant will not be affected. In vitro a solution of as little as 1: 10,000,000 may be inhibitory to the pneumococcus, and 1: 500,000 is bactericidal.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is Gram-positive, alpha-hemolytic, aerotolerant anaerobic member of the genus Streptococcus. A significant human pathogenic bacterium, S...
, which is optochin-sensitive, from other alpha-hemolytic streptococci such as Streptococcus viridans
Streptococcus viridans
Viridans Streptococcus is a pseudotaxonomic non-Linnaenan term for a large group of commensal streptococcal bacteria that are either α-hemolytic, producing a green coloration on blood agar plates , or nonhemolytic...
which are resistant. A common mnemonic is "OVRPS" (Optochin - Viridans Resistant, Pneumoniae Sensitive).
The growth of Bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
that are optochin sensitive will be inhibited around an optochin disc, while the growth of bacteria that are optochin resistant will not be affected. In vitro a solution of as little as 1: 10,000,000 may be inhibitory to the pneumococcus, and 1: 500,000 is bactericidal.