Viridans-type Streptococci

• Latin - viridis ="green"
• Heterogenous group (includes S. pneumoniae)

Laboratory identification

• Gram positive cocci
• alpha-haemolytic (incomplete, green residue)

Colonise

• oropharynx
• GI tract
• GU tract

Diseases

• Dental caries
• subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)
• suppurative intrabdominal infections

Treatment

• penicillin (although resistance common - can combine with aminoglycoside)
• broad spectrum cephalosporin
• vancomycin