title: Streptococcus milleri and surgical sepsis.
abstract: For many years Viridans streptococci have been considered as commensal organisms in a wide variety of sites in the human body and only regarded as significant pathogens in subacute bacterial endocarditis. However, in recent years some reports have suggested that a particular species, Streptococcus milleri, can be a virulent pathogen, producing life-threatening sepsis particularly in surgical patients. We review here our experience of this organism in 23 general surgical patients over a 3 year period, and postulate that prophylactic use of antibiotic combinations such as gentamicin and metronidazole in patients undergoing colo-rectal surgery may be a factor promoting its emergence as a significant pathogen. Patients with established sepsis due to Streptococcus milleri should be considered for long-term antibiotic therapy as part of the treatment of their abscesses.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents