FINAL DIAGNOSIS: - Multiple brain abscesses caused by Streptococcus milleri group: S. intermedius.
Contributor's notes:
"Streptococcus milleri" was first named by Guthof in 1956 in reference to oral non-hemolytic streptococcal species (1) . Subsequently, Colman and Williams proposed that minute beta-hemolytic streptococci along with other non-hemolytic streptococci referred to as the "streptococcus milleri group" (2). Conkendall proposed the unification of these streptococci into a single species Streptococcus anginosus which was the oldest approved name for these bacteria and therefore had precedence over the name "streptococcus milleri"(3). Recently, Whiley et al performed DNA relatedness studies on strains classified as Streptococcus anginosus, and observed that three DNA homology groups could be identified that correspond to the type strains of Streptococcus constellatus, Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus anginosus. Based on the DNA studies, the milleri group has been recently reclassified into three distinct strains: S. constellatus, S anginosus, and S intermedius (4).
The species of streptococcus milleri group are commensals commonly isolated from the mouth, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract and vagina, and are responsible for a variety of human and animal infections (5). Predisposing or underlying conditions were noted in most of reported cases of S. milleri infection. The most common conditions were previous surgery, trauma, diabetes, immunodeficiency, malignancy, and prosthetic device. The species of S.milleri group are in varies type of infections characterized by deep tissue necrosis and abscesses formation, either along or in mixed culture. Most of the reported cases of S. milleri infection are associated with following sites or organs:
Although the S. milleri group organisms have received increasing attentions as potential pathogen in above mentioned infections, their role in these serious infections remains largely unrecognized. There are several explanations for this lack of recognition. First, it may due to the long period of confusion regarding streptococcal taxonimy and nomenclature. Second, the clinical microbiological characteristics of the S. milleri group may lead to misidentification. Third, the use of antibiotics before the collection of sample for analysis may greatly affect the results. Better understanding of the bacteriologic features, pathogenicity, and epidemiology of the S. milleri group should aid clinicians in recognizing and treating properly with this elusive pathogen.
REFERENCES
Contributed by Jianzhou Wang, MD., and A. William Pasculle, Sc.D.