A child is brought to the emergency room in a semiconscious state with a high fever. Earlier, he had complained of a stiff neck and headache. A tap of spinal fluid is performed and tested. A Gram stain reveals gram-negative cocci or coccobacilli and WBCs, and a diagnosis of meningitis is made. Owing to the patient’s serious condition, immediate drug therapy is necessary. Two species could cause this condition.
a. Which drug would work on both infections?
b. What are some rapid tests used to differentiate the two bacteria?