Streptococcus anginosus group disseminated infection: case report and review of literature

Infez Med. 2012 Sep;20(3):145-54.

Abstract

Streptococcus anginosus group is widely known for its ability to cause invasive pyogenic infections. There are very few reports of disseminated infections sustained by members of this streptococcal group. We report a case of a highly disseminated infection and analyse previous literature reports. Disseminated pyogenic infection has been defined as an infection affecting two or more of the following organs/systems: central nervous system, lung, liver and spleen. We performed a PubMed search using the terms: S. milleri, S. anginosus, brain abscess, pulmonary abscess, hepatic abscess, spleen abscess. We reviewed 12 case reports including the one presented in this paper. Underlying conditions such as dental infections, malignancy, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract disease accounted for 42% of cases. No definite endocarditis was encountered, even though positive blood cultures were found in 67% of patients. Concomitant brain-liver, brain-lung and brain-spleen involvement occurred in 50%, 42% and 8% of cases respectively. Ninety-one percent (91%) of patients were treated with β-lactams, and surgical procedures were performed in 67% of patients. Infections caused by S. anginosus group members are satisfactorily treated with penicillin G and cephalosporins. It is very important to associate surgery to antimicrobial chemotherapy in order to achieve a full or nearly full clinical recovery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis
  • Bacteremia / microbiology*
  • Bacteremia / therapy
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology
  • Brain Abscess / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Empyema, Pleural / microbiology
  • Empyema, Pleural / therapy
  • Hepatomegaly / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess / microbiology
  • Liver Abscess / therapy
  • Lung Abscess / microbiology
  • Lung Abscess / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Splenomegaly / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / surgery
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy*
  • Streptococcus anginosus* / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus anginosus* / pathogenicity
  • Streptococcus milleri Group / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus milleri Group / pathogenicity
  • Suction*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents