ORAL MICROBIOLOGY
STREPTOCOCCUS ANGINOSUS
GROUP - BRIEF CHARACTERIZATION
AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE
BRAIN ABSCESS PATHOGENESIS
Gabriela Băncescu1a
Adrian Băncescu*2b
Marian Vladimir Constantinescu3c
Microbiology Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine,
“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Bucharest, Romania
2
Epidemiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol
Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Bucharest, Romania
3
Oral Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Dental
Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University Bucharest,
Bucharest, Romania
1
a
MD, MSc, PhD, Professor
MD, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor
c
DDS, PhD, Professor
b
Cite this article:
Băncescu G,
Băncescu A,
Constantinescu MV,
Streptococcus
anginosus group brief characterization
and its contribution
to the brain abscess
pathogenesis.
Stoma Edu J.
2015;2(2):153-161.
Abstract
Background: The oral streptococci are microorganisms whose major
habitat is the oral cavity and oropharynx. The Streptococcus anginosus
group, formerly known as Streptococcus milleri group, comprises
the following commensal species: S. anginosus, S. constellatus and S.
intermedius. Sometimes these species may produce different oral or
extraoral infections, especially oro-maxillo-facial infections and deepseated abscess.
Objective: The aim of the present article was to provide the reader with
the essential knowledge about S. anginosus group characteristics and
a useful updated review of its important contribution to develop brain
abscess.
Data sources and selection: The most important evidence concerning
the recent taxonomical data, main phenotypical features and findings
referring to the involvement of these bacteria in causing cerebral abscess
in adults and children were collected from PubMed/Medline database.
Only articles published between January 2011 - November 2015 were
selected and the significant data have been presented in a synthesized
form, without performing a meta-analysis.
Conclusion: The S. anginosus group merits greater attention from both
clinicians and microbiologists due to its importance in human pathology,
especially in life-threatening infections, like brain abscesses, which often
require a multidisciplinary team for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords: S. anginosus, S. constellatus, S. intermedius, S. milleri group,
brain abscess
Introduction
The oral streptococci are commensal
microorganisms that predominate in the
normal flora و H[