Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

15.2K

Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Meningitis Caused by Streptococcus bovis Group

Sannya Vidyadhar Hede1

  • 1Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA. sannya.hede@childrens.harvard.edu.

Current Infectious Disease Reports
|February 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus bovis meningitis, now classified as Streptococcus gallolyticus, is an important bacterial meningitis cause in infants. This review covers its taxonomy, diagnosis, and treatment in children.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Streptococcus bovis, a rare cause of bacterial meningitis in children, has undergone significant taxonomic reclassification.
  • The most prevalent subspecies in pediatric meningitis is now identified as Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus.
  • Invasive S. bovis disease in neonates and infants often presents symptoms similar to group B Streptococcus infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the taxonomic evolution of Streptococcus bovis meningitis.
  • To discuss the clinical diagnosis, manifestations, and treatment of this condition in pediatric populations.
  • To highlight the importance of recognizing S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus as a significant pathogen in pediatric meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Streptococcus bovis meningitis cases and taxonomic studies.
  • Analysis of clinical data regarding diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment outcomes.
  • Synthesis of information on the pathogen's classification and clinical significance.

Main Results:

  • Streptococcus bovis has been reclassified into four subspecies, with S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus being most common in children.
  • Pediatric meningitis caused by this pathogen is often clinically indistinguishable from group B Streptococcus infections.
  • Increasing case reports document invasive disease primarily in neonates and infants.

Conclusions:

  • Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus is an important, though rare, cause of bacterial meningitis in infants and children.
  • Accurate taxonomic understanding is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and management.
  • Further research into optimal treatment strategies for pediatric S. gallolyticus meningitis is warranted.
Keywords:
MeningitisS. bovisS. gallolyticus

More Related Videos

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

7.9K

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
36
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
761
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
1.0K
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
33
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
548
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
628