Morgenroth and his collaborators grew pneumococci in a medium containing optochin and derived variant forms of bacteria therefrom which were considered to be streptococci of the viridans group. We have repeated these experiments and have also derived variant forms. These atypical races, however, we have found to be identical with the R form of pneumococci which have been obtained by various oth...

We assessed the mechanisms of resistance to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS(B)) antibiotics and related antibiotics in erythromycin-resistant viridans group streptococci (n = 164) and Gemella spp. (n = 28). The macrolide resistance phenotype was predominant (59.38%); all isolates with this phenotype carried the mef(A) or mef(E) gene, with mef(E) being predominant (95.36%). The erm(B)...

Sir, Many studies have demonstrated a trend towards decreased antimicrobial susceptibility in viridans group streptococci isolated from blood cultures.1,2 This raises concerns when this group of organisms cause more serious infections, such as infective endocarditis, when penicillin resistance can create therapeutic difficulties.3 However, few routine data are available on the susceptibility of...

Facklamia sp are Gram-positive cocci that are often mistaken for viridans streptococci, but they rarely cause invasive disease. In this report, we describe a case of mixed Facklamia sp and Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in an immunocompetent host with sinusitis. This case demonstrates that Facklamia sp may be part of normal human flora but can be associated with invasive disease.

The clinical significance of viridans streptococci isolated from the blood cultures of 86 patients was determined. Isolates that were significant or suggestive of infection represented only 21% of the cases. Among 54 isolates for which the species was known, Streptococcus sanguis II was the most common. However, a significant association between species and clinical significance was not found.

Despite rigorous diagnostic testing, the cause of infective endocarditis was identified for just 60 (45.5%) of 132 patients admitted to hospitals in Khon Kaen, Thailand, during January 2010-July 2012. Most pathogens identified were Viridans streptococci and zoonotic bacteria species, as found in other resource-limited countries where underlying rheumatic heart disease is common.

Septic arthritis may represent a direct invasion of joint space by various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Although any infectious agent may cause bacterial arthritis, bacterial pathogens are the most significant because of their rapidly destructive nature. We present a case of septic arthritis in a 56-year old male patient due to Streptococcus viridans which is member of...

BACKGROUND Infectious agents, especially bacteria and their components originating from the oral cavity or respiratory tract, have been suggested to contribute to inflammation in the coronary plaque, leading to rupture and the subsequent development of coronary thrombus. We aimed to measure bacterial DNA in thrombus aspirates of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and to ch...

Four consecutive studies comparing commercially prepared bottles that contained brain heart infusion, brucella (vented and unvented), and Trypticase soy broths with Tryptic soy broth failed to demonstrate significant differences in rates of isolation of organisms from blood. Statistically significant differences between bottles were limited to the average times required to detect growth of viri...

A shortened biochemical scheme was devised for the reliable identification of the 'viridans' streptococci. It compared favourably with the classical identification system of Colman and could be recommended for use in the busy routine laboratory to investigate streptococcal isolates from clinical sources.