Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, or pneumococcus, can cause many types of illnesses. Some of these illnesses can be life-threatening. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bloodstream infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and middle ear infections in young children.You have probably heard of pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses, and even fungi.Pneumococcus is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia. Besides pneumonia, pneumococcus can cause other types of infections too, such as:1  Ear infections. 2  Sinus infections.neumonia can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses, and even fungi. Pneumococcus is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia. Besides pneumonia, pneumococcus can cause other types of infections too, such as: 1  Ear infections. 2  Sinus infections.
Earlier I mentioned that the traditional way to run a PT-INR test is to have your blood drawn and sent to a lab, where the test is conducted. Another option for obtaining an INR is to use a point-of-care device, also known as a fingerstick testing device.
The prothrombin time (PT) â along with its derived measures of prothrombin ratio (PR) and international normalized ratio (INR) â are assays evaluating the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. This test is also called ProTime INR and PT/INR.They are used to determine the clotting tendency of blood, in the measure of warfarin dosage, liver damage, and vitamin K status. PT measures factors I (fibrinogen) , II (prothrombin) , V, VII, and X.aboratory measurement [edit]. The reference range for prothrombin time depends on the analytical method used, but is usually around 12â13 seconds (results should always be interpreted using the reference range from the laboratory that performed the test), and the INR in absence of anticoagulation therapy is 0.8-1.2.