Streptococcus mitis
From IDWiki
Background
- Part of the normal flora of the oropharynx, female genital tract, gastrointestinal tract, and skin
Microbiology
- A groups of gamma-hemolytic catalase-negative Gram-positive coccus within the genus Streptococcus
- Includes Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis
- On Gram stain, often has an arrow-head shape and grows in pairs or short chains
- Negative for acetoin production, arginine, esculin, and mannitol and are sorbitol fermentation negative
- Closely related to Streptococcus pneumoniae
Clinical Manifestations
- Generally low virulence
- Invasive disease is much more common in immunocompromised patients, especially neutropenic patients and those undergoing chemotherapy
- Can cause bacteremia, infective endocarditis, dental caries, eye infections, meningitis, and pneumonia
