[Abiotrophia related endocarditis: contribution of molecular biology].
BACKGROUND
Former nutritionally-deficient (variant) streptococci were recently separated from other streptococci viridans to constitute a new Abiotrophia genus, subdivided into two species, Abiotrophia defectiva (ex-Streptococcus defectivus) and Abiotrophia adjacens (ex-Streptococcus adjacens).


METHODS
A woman was admitted to the hospital because of purpura and fever. Vegetations were shown by trans-esophageal echocardiography. Although blood samples were positive within 24 hours, accurate identification of the morphologically and biochemically streptococcus-like bacteria that had grown remained impossible. Molecular biology technicals permitted to identify Abiotrophia defectiva, ex-Streptococcus defectivus.


CONCLUSIONS
This new genus is important to be identified in clinical practice, because of the increased virulence of these bacteria, when compared with Streptococci viridans. They are also frequently penicillin-resistant. Molecular biology technicals allow precocious diagnosis, and make possible the improvement of the prognosis.
Boutoille
D
D
Service des Maladies infectieuses, Médecine interne B, Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes.
Reynaud
A E
AE
Leautez
S
S
Ponge
T
T
Raffi
F
F
D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008967:Molecular Biology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification; D009626:Terminology as Topic