Dextran, the synthetic polysaccharide produced by Leuconostoc mesenterioides from saccharose, reacts immunologically with antisera from pneumococci, some of the Sahnonella and some of the types of Streptococcus viridans (Bargen). This immunological relationship is independent of the specific antipolysaccharide antibodies of these sera, suggesting the existence of a distinct antibody produced by...

We have identified an unusual group of viridans group streptococci that resemble Streptococcus pneumoniae. DNA-DNA homology studies suggested that a subset of these isolates represent a novel species that may be included in the S. oralis-S. mitis group of viridans group streptococci. We suggest that this novel species be termed Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae. A combination of phenotypic and gen...

Twenty-five isolates of nutritionally variant streptococci submitted to the Streptococcus Laboratory of the Center for Disease Control over a 2-year period were tested for growth requirements and for biochemical reactions. After they were recovered from storage in blood at -170 degrees C, all isolates grew within 48 h in both thioglycollate broth and Todd-Hewitt broth supplemented with 0.001% p...

Pelvic osteomyelitis is a rare entity with a highly variable clinical presentation. Patients usually present with hip or groin pain, difficulty walking, and sometimes fever. In children, it can mimic septic arthritis of the hip, an acute abdomen, and an inguinal hernia, making it a diagnostic challenge for many physicians. Predisposing risk factors include immunodeficiency, intravenous drug abu...

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and associated myositis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus pyogenes generally have a poor outcome despite aggressive operative treatment. Frequently the diagnosis is missed initially as the clinical features are non-specific. The progression to a toxic state is rapid and unless definitive treatment measures are initiated early, the end result can b...

Streptococcus sanguis (the Streptococcus s.b.e. of Loewe), originally identified by White and his coworkers, has, with few exceptions, been isolated only from the blood stream of patients with subacute bacterial endocarditis (White, 1944; White and Niven, 1946; Niven and White, 1946; Loewe et al., 1946; Niven et al., 1946; Washburn et al., 1946). This causative organism has a type specificity a...

Lancefield group F streptococci have been found almost exclusively as members of the 'Streptococcus milleri' group, although they have been reported very occasionally in some other streptococcal species. Among 302 patients with bacteraemia caused by viridans streptococci over a 6-year period, three cases were caused by Streptococcus sinensis (type strain HKU4T, HKU5 and HKU6). All three patient...