Microbiology question (smooth vs. rough bacteria)

[Kiro90]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I understand that a gram-negative bacteria whose LPS lack O-antigen is considered rough, and that with the O-antigen is considered smooth. But on page 21 of the Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple book (5th ed.), first paragraph on the right, it talks about the streptococcus pneumonia (which, I think, is gram-positive) being smooth or rough. Can someone please explain? Thanks!

 

[Amba]

I believe smooth or rough can refer to whether or not a particular bacteria has a capsule.

Sent from my HTC Desire CDMA using SDN Mobile