Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Peptostreptococcus species
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Peptostreptococcus is a genus of anaerobic, Gram-positive, non-spore forming bacteria. The cells are small, spherical, and can occur in short chains, in pairs or individually.[1] Peptostreptococcus are slow-growing bacteria with increasing resistance to antimicrobial drugs.[2]
Pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
Peptostreptococcus species are commensal organisms in humans, living predominantly in the mouth, skin, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts, and compose a portion of the bacterial gut flora. Under immunosuppressed or traumatic conditions these organisms can become pathogenic, as well as septicemic, harming their host. Peptostreptococcus can cause brain, liver, breast, and lung abscesses, as well as generalized necrotizing soft tissue infections.[3]
References
References
- ↑ Ryan KJ; Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-8385-8529-9.
- ↑ Higaki S, Kitagawa T, Kagoura M, Morohashi M, Yamagishi T (2000). “Characterization of Peptostreptococcus species in skin infections”. J Int Med Res. 28 (3): 143–7. PMID 10983864.
- ↑ Mader JT, Calhoun J (1996). Bone, Joint, and Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections. In: Baron’s Medical Microbiology (Baron S et al, eds.) (4th ed. ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]