A three-year-old patient is admitted to the ER after a sudd…
A three-year-old patient is admitted to the ER after a sudden onset of high fever and chills, a productive cough, and shortness of breath. The parents indicate that the child had been healthy up until a few hours ago. An initial work-up of the child shows an elevated temperature (103oF), a rapid pulse rate (140 bpm), and a low oxygen saturation level (82%). Supplemental oxygen and acetaminophen are administered immediately, and specimens are obtained from the patient for microbial analysis. The specimens are Gram stained and analyzed microscopically. The laboratory technician observes spherical purple-colored cells arranged in short chains. Based upon this evidence, which of the following microbes is most likely the pathogen affecting the patient?