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Streptococcus milleri infection

J V Lunn1, K J Rahman, A C Macey

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sligo General Hospital, Ireland.

Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|February 13, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus milleri can cause severe flexor sheath infections, leading to extensive tissue damage and digit amputation. This highlights the bacterium

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hand Surgery
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Streptococcus milleri is often considered a commensal bacterium.
  • Infections of the flexor sheath are serious and can lead to significant morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report cases of severe flexor sheath infection caused by Streptococcus milleri.
  • To highlight the pathogenic potential of Streptococcus milleri in soft tissue infections.

Main Methods:

  • Case series reporting three instances of flexor sheath infection.
  • Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes were documented.

Main Results:

  • All patients presented with extensive soft tissue damage.
  • Despite surgical debridement and antibiotics, amputation of digits was required in two patients.
  • One patient underwent amputation of two digits, and another had a digit amputated at the proximal interphalangeal joint.

Conclusions:

  • Streptococcus milleri can be a significant pathogen in flexor sheath infections.
  • Aggressive surgical and antibiotic management may be necessary.
  • The pathogenicity of this commonly commensal bacterium should not be underestimated.

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