pneumococcus: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Sep. 21, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	Streptococcus pneumoniae • Diplococcus pneumoniae

Photos

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Infographic showing estimated lives saved by childhood vaccinations worldwide from 1974 to 2024, with syringe-shaped bars for each disease. Measles tops the list at 93.71 million lives saved, followed by tetanus, whooping cough, and others, for a total of 153.84 million lives saved.

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Topics

pneumonia sinusitis Methicillin lobar pneumonia streptococcal pneumonia septic arthritis streptococcus

Key People

Oswald Avery.

Oswald Avery

American bacteriologist

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Maclyn McCarty

American biologist