II. Pathophysiology
-
Streptococcus Viridans are a heterogeneous group
- Alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus (Gram Positive Cocci)
- Viridans is named for the greenish glow on Blood Culture media (alpha-hemolytic effects on RBCs)
- Subdivided into at least 4 sub groups (see below)
- Normal human colonization
- Gastrointestinal Tract
- Oropharynx
- Human Infections
- Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Extracellular Dextran allows binding to Heart Valves (Streptococcus Viridans, Group D Strep, Enterococcus)
- Dental Infections (esp. Streptococcus Mutans)
- S. mutans binds teeth and ferments sugars to acids, leading to dental decay
- Abscesses
- Streptococcus Anginosus Group (intermedius) are normal, microaerophilic flora in the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Brain and Liver Abscesses
- Streptococcus Anginosus Group either alone or in mixed Bacterial Infections with Bacteroides
- Patients may present with Occult Bacteremia
- Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis
III. Types
- Streptococcus Mutans Group
- Streptococcus Mutans
- Streptococcus sobrinus
- Streptococcus criceti
- Streptococcus rattus
- Streptococcus downei
- Streptococcus macacae
- Streptococcus Mitis Group
- Streptococcus Mitis
- Streptococcus sanguis
- Streptococcus parasanguis
- Streptococcus gordonii
- Streptococcus crista
- Streptococcus infantis
- Streptococcus oralis
- Streptococcus peroris
- Streptococcus Salivarius Group
- Streptococcus Salivarius
- Streptococcus vestibularis
- Streptococcus thermophilus
- Streptococcus Anginosus Group (Streptococcus Milleri Group, Intermedius group)
- Streptococcus Anginosus
- StreptococcusConstellatus
- Streptococcus Intermedius
IV. References
- Gladwin, Trattler and Mahan (2014) Clinical Microbiology, Medmaster, Fl, p. 31-2
- Doern (2010) J Clin Microbiol 48(11):3829-35 +PMID: 20810781 [PubMed]