The present invention provides a method and a kit for detecting a S. pneumoniae nucleic acid in a sample. The method comprises the steps of isolating said nucleic acid and detecting hybridization between the S. pneumoniae nucleic acid and a labeled probe, wherein the detection of hybridization comprises detecting a change in signal from the labeled probe during or after hybridization relative to the labeled probe signal before hybridization. The method of the present invention is characterized in that said nucleic acid is a ribonucleic acid, which isolation comprises the addition of acidic phenol to said sample and the purification of said ribonucleic acid.