Susceptibility, Resistance and Treatment Strategy for Infections Caused by Viridans Group Streptococci - A Review

Abstract

Viridans Group Streptococci (VGS) were considered to be commensal organisms of low virulence. Their major disease associations were formerly limited to dental caries and infective endocarditis. Over the last several years, these bacteria have emerged as significant pathogens associated with gingivitis, periodontitis, bacteremia, meningitis, pneumonia and a variety of infections in neonates. Although penicillin remains the drug of choice in the treatment of infections caused by VGS, drug tolerance and clinical therapeutic failures have been reported. Different studies in recent past show that there is an alarming increase in resistance in VGS to various antimicrobial agents. Increase in the incidence of VGS with multiple drug resistance to penicillin and other agents suggest for periodic surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility among VGS in order to guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy and to develop an appropriate treatment strategy for various infections caused by VGS. The development of appropriate treatment strategy not only helps in effective management but also helps to monitor further spread of resistant pathogens