Bloodstream and endovascular infections due to Abiotrophia defectiva and Granulicatella species.
BACKGROUND
Abiotrophia and Granulicatella species, previously referred to as nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS), are significant causative agents of endocarditis and bacteraemia. In this study, we reviewed the clinical manifestations of infections due to A. defectiva and Granulicatella species that occurred at our institution between 1998 and 2004.


METHODS
The analysis included all strains of NVS that were isolated from blood cultures or vascular graft specimens. All strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Patients' medical charts were reviewed for each case of infection.


RESULTS
Eleven strains of NVS were isolated during the 6-year period. Identification of the strains by 16S rRNA showed 2 genogroups: Abiotrophia defectiva (3) and Granulicatella adiacens (6) or "para-adiacens" (2). The three A. defectiva strains were isolated from immunocompetent patients with endovascular infections, whereas 7 of 8 Granulicatella spp. strains were isolated from immunosuppressed patients, mainly febrile neutropenic patients. We report the first case of "G. para-adiacens" bacteraemia in the setting of febrile neutropenia.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose that Granulicatella spp. be considered as a possible agent of bacteraemia in neutropenic patients.
Senn
Laurence
L
Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. laurence.senn@chuv.ch
Entenza
José M
JM
Greub
Gilbert
G
Jaton
Katia
K
Wenger
Aline
A
Bille
Jacques
J
Calandra
Thierry
T
Prod'hom
Guy
G
D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D013289:Streptococcaceae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S