Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Published on: February 9, 2011

22.9K

Low penicillin susceptibility in Streptococcus mitis/oralis from bloodstream infections in pediatric populations

Jian-Ming Zhou1, Cai-Yu Wu2, Jian-Ping Li1

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Microbiology Spectrum
|October 14, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus mitis/oralis bloodstream infections are common in pediatric patients with hematological diseases and tumors. A significant percentage of these infections are multi-drug resistant, necessitating ongoing monitoring of antimicrobial resistance patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Streptococcus mitis/oralis can cause invasive diseases, including bloodstream infections.
  • Existing research often focuses on specific pediatric subgroups, lacking a comprehensive view of S. mitis/oralis bloodstream infections across the general pediatric population.
  • High contamination rates in blood cultures can complicate accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical characteristics and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bloodstream infections caused by Streptococcus mitis/oralis in a broad pediatric population.
  • To specifically exclude blood culture contamination cases for a clearer understanding of true infections.
  • To highlight the need for continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in S. mitis/oralis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective collection of clinical data for S. mitis/oralis isolates from blood samples.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and antibiotic susceptibility testing results.
  • Exclusion of blood culture contamination cases from the analysis.

Main Results:

  • Bloodstream infections caused by S. mitis/oralis were most prevalent in pediatric patients with hematological diseases and tumors.
  • Susceptibility rates varied significantly, with low rates for penicillin (23%) and erythromycin (27%).
  • 21.6% of isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR), predominantly to beta-lactams, erythromycin, and clindamycin. Linezolid and vancomycin showed 100% susceptibility.

Conclusions:

  • Streptococcus mitis/oralis bloodstream infections present a significant challenge in pediatric populations, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
  • The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, especially resistance to penicillin, necessitates careful antibiotic selection and stewardship.
  • Continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for effective management of S. mitis/oralis infections.
Keywords:
Streptococcus mitisbloodstream infectionschildrenmulti-drug-resistantsusceptibility

More Related Videos

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

15.0K
Studying Oxidative Stress Caused by the Mitis Group Streptococci in Caenorhabditis elegans09:36

Studying Oxidative Stress Caused by the Mitis Group Streptococci in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: March 23, 2019

7.1K

Related Concept Videos

Production of Antibiotics01:27

Production of Antibiotics

Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...