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Streptococcus salivarius meningitis and colonic carcinoma
1Department of Pathology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.
Southern Medical Journal
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Streptococcus salivarius caused severe meningitis in an elderly patient, revealing an underlying colon cancer. This highlights the need for gastrointestinal investigation in certain streptococcal infections due to potential links with malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Streptococcus salivarius is a common oral bacterium.
- Streptococcus bovis is a known indicator of gastrointestinal malignancy.
- Accurate bacterial speciation can be challenging.
Observation:
- An elderly patient developed fulminant meningitis caused by Streptococcus salivarius.
- A concurrent gastrointestinal workup identified an asymptomatic colonic adenocarcinoma.
Findings:
- This case represents the first reported instance of Streptococcus salivarius sepsis linked to a colonic neoplasm.
- The bacteriologic similarity between S. salivarius and S. bovis suggests a potential shared association with occult gastrointestinal cancers.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that gastrointestinal investigation may be beneficial for a broader range of streptococcal infections beyond those typically associated with S. bovis.
- Accurate and timely speciation of streptococcal species is crucial for identifying potential underlying malignancies.
- This case underscores the importance of considering non-oral sources for infections typically found in the oral cavity.