Alpha-hemolytic species cause oxidization of iron in hemoglobin molecules within red blood cells, giving it a greenish color on blood agar. Beta-hemolytic species cause complete rupture of red blood cells. On blood agar, this appears as wide areas clear of blood cells surrounding bacterial colonies. Gamma-hemolytic species cause no hemolysis.Beta-hemolytic streptococci are further classified by Lancefield grouping, a serotype classification (that is, describing specific carbohydrates present on the bacterial cell wall). The 21 described serotypes are named Lancefield groups A to W (excluding I and J). This system of classification was developed by Rebecca Lancefield, a scientist at Rockefeller University.In the medical setting, the most important groups are the alpha-hemolytic streptococci S. pneumoniae and Streptococcus viridans group, and the beta-hemolytic streptococci of Lancefield groups A and B (also known as “group A strep” and “group B strep”). Table: Medically relevant streptococci (not all are alpha-hemolytic)

Alpha-hemolytic
When alpha-hemolysis (α-hemolysis) is present, the agar under the colony will appear dark and greenish due to the conversion of hemoglobin to green biliverdin. Streptococcus pneumoniae and a group of oral streptococci (Streptococcus viridans or viridans streptococci) display alpha-hemolysis. Alpha-hemolysis is also termed incomplete hemolysis or partial hemolysis because the cell membranes of the red blood cells are left intact. This is also sometimes called green hemolysis because of the color change in the agar. Pneumococci
S. pneumoniae (sometimes called pneumococcus), is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia and occasional etiology of otitis media, sinusitis, meningitis, and peritonitis.
See also
Hypoparathyroidism
Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism
Rickets
Hypervitaminosis D

References
Further reading
Mantovani, G; Bastepe, M; Monk, D; de Sanctis, L; Thiele, S; Usardi, A; Ahmed, SF; Bufo, R; Choplin, T; De Filippo, G; Devernois, G; Eggermann, T; Elli, FM; Freson, K; García Ramirez, A; Germain-Lee, EL; Groussin, L; Hamdy, N; Hanna, P; Hiort, O; Jüppner, H; Kamenický, P; Knight, N; Kottler, ML; Le Norcy, E; Lecumberri, B; Levine, MA; Mäkitie, O; Martin, R; Martos-Moreno, GÁ; Minagawa, M; Murray, P; Pereda, A; Pignolo, R; Rejnmark, L; Rodado, R; Rothenbuhler, A; Saraff, V; Shoemaker, AH; Shore, EM; Silve, C; Turan, S; Woods, P; Zillikens, MC; Perez de Nanclares, G; Linglart, A (August 2018). "Diagnosis and management of pseudohypoparathyroidism and related disorders: first international Consensus Statement" (PDF). Nature Reviews. Endocrinology. 14 (8): 476–500. doi:10.1038/s41574-018-0042-0. PMC 6541219. PMID 29959430. == External links ==