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Published on: April 28, 2014
Group Milleri Streptococci in paediatric infections
I Stelzmueller1, M Fille, J Hager
1Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Summary
Group Milleri Streptococci (GMS) infections in children often require surgery and antibiotics. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial to prevent severe outcomes from these serious pediatric infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Surgical Infections
Background:
- Group Milleri Streptococci (GMS) are common commensals but can cause purulent infections, often with abscess formation.
- The clinical significance of GMS infections in pediatric populations is not well-established.
- This study investigates GMS infections in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical presentation and management of Group Milleri Streptococci infections in pediatric patients.
- To determine the common sites, outcomes, and treatment strategies for GMS infections in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 46 GMS isolates from 39 pediatric patients (<18 years) over a four-year period.
- Identified infection types, patient demographics, treatment modalities, and outcomes.
- Analyzed co-infections and antibiotic susceptibility patterns.
Main Results:
- The most common infections were intra-abdominal (19) and dental/oropharyngeal (11).
- Ninety-five percent of patients required surgical intervention; only two were treated with antibiotics alone.
- Polymicrobial infections were frequent, particularly in intra-abdominal cases (74%), with E. coli and B. fragilis as common co-pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric GMS infections typically necessitate a combination of antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage.
- Timely diagnosis and aggressive management are essential to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.
- GMS infections demonstrated high susceptibility to common antibiotics including penicillins and cephalosporins.
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