Streptococcus bovis bacteremia and underlying gastrointestinal neoplasms

Two patients are described in whom Streptococcus bovis bacteremia was the only clue to the presence of a colonic neoplasm. A third patient had the rare association of gastric carcinoma and Streptococcus bovis bacteremia that followed an operation for the carcinoma. The need for both complete gastrointestinal survey in patients with Streptococcus bovis bacteremia and administration of appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis during surgical manipulation is emphasized.