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RE: 'Streptococcus pluranimalium: A novel human pathogen?'
Peter Pongratz1, Meinolf Ebbers1, Hilte Geerdes-Fenge1
1Rostock University Medical Center, Division of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Abstract:
Streptococcus pluranimalium as a novel human pathogen has been reported by several authors in various contexts. In all reported cases in humans the microorganism was detected by the Vitek2®. The great advances with the introduction of new analytical techniques such as MALDI-TOF or 16S rRNA analysis enabled a more detailed discrimination of pathogens such as these nonhemolytic streptococci. In the cases of such similar gene sequences such techniques are absolutely essential to identify the exact strain for this highly conserved 16S rRNA gene. However, until now neither a sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene nor PCR nor MALDI-TOF techniques could define Streptococcus pluranimalium in humans. We conclude that according to our best present knowledge there exists no conclusive evidence for a human infection of Streptococcus pluranimalium even when using most advanced and exact identification techniques until now.
Insights
Streptococcus pluranimalium is not conclusively proven as a human pathogen. Advanced techniques like MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA analysis have failed to confirm human infections, despite previous Vitek2 reports.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Streptococcus pluranimalium has been suggested as a novel human pathogen.
- Previous human cases were identified using the Vitek2 system.
- Nonhemolytic streptococci require precise identification methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the conclusive evidence for Streptococcus pluranimalium as a human pathogen.
- To assess the efficacy of advanced diagnostic techniques in identifying this bacterium in humans.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported human cases.
- Analysis of identification techniques including Vitek2, MALDI-TOF, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Assessment of strain discrimination capabilities for highly conserved genes.
Main Results:
- Despite using advanced methods like MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA analysis, Streptococcus pluranimalium could not be definitively identified in human samples.
- No conclusive evidence was found to support human infection by Streptococcus pluranimalium.
Conclusions:
- Current advanced diagnostic techniques lack the definitive power to confirm Streptococcus pluranimalium in human infections.
- There is no conclusive evidence to support Streptococcus pluranimalium as a recognized human pathogen at present.