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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
EXPERIMENTAL FOCALIZED MYOCARDIAL LESIONS PRODUCED WITH STREPTOCOCCUS MITIS.
1Pathological Laboratory of the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.
Injecting Streptococcus mitis into rabbits created focalized myocardial lesions, similar to those from Streptococcus rheumaticus and viridans, but distinct from epidemic streptococci and Aschoff bodies. These lesions are caused by bacterial toxins, not the organisms themselves.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Focalized myocardial lesions are a key feature in certain cardiovascular conditions.
- Understanding the causative agents and mechanisms of these lesions is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Streptococcus mitis intravenous injection on rabbit myocardium.
- To compare the induced lesions with those caused by other streptococcal strains and known pathological markers like Aschoff bodies.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous injection of Streptococcus mitis into rabbits.
- Histopathological examination of myocardial tissue.
- Comparative analysis of induced lesions with existing literature and experimental models.
Main Results:
- Intravenous Streptococcus mitis induced focalized myocardial lesions in rabbits.
- These lesions were identical to those produced by Streptococcus rheumaticus and Streptococcus viridans.
- The induced lesions differed from those caused by epidemic streptococci and were distinguishable from Aschoff bodies.
- Evidence suggests myocardial lesions result from streptococcal toxins, not viable bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Streptococcus mitis can induce myocardial lesions in rabbits via toxins.
- The experimental lesions share focalized characteristics with human rheumatic carditis but are distinct from Aschoff bodies.
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