Prospective study of Streptococcus milleri bacteremia

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1996 Mar;15(3):194-200. doi: 10.1007/BF01591353.

Abstract

In a prospective study of bacteremia caused by organisms of the Streptococcus milleri group a total of 32 adult patients were observed over a seven-year period. These patients accounted for 1.6% of all patients diagnosed as having significant bacteremia and 17% of all cases of streptococcal (nonpneumococcal) bacteremia diagnosed during the study period. Only five patients had polymicrobic bacteremia. In 31 cases, a presumed origin of infection was identified, generally oral or gastrointestinal disease. There were only six cases of nosocomial acquisition. The most common presenting symptom was prolonged fever. The following forms of presentation were documented: bacteremia with local suppurative infection (56%), bacteremia without local suppurative infection (25%), and endocarditis (19%). An associated focus of infection was found in the abdominal cavity in 20 cases (62%). The mortality rate was 12.5%. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin. Caution is necessary in interpreting a blood culture positive for Streptococcus milleri group organisms, since, unlike other viridans streptococci, they are rarely contaminants. For this reason patients with suppurative processes and/or digestive tract disease must be carefully investigated.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / microbiology*
  • Blood / microbiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillins