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Identification of Streptococcus porcinus from human sources
R Facklam1, J Elliott, N Pigott
1Streptococcus Reference Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Streptococcus porcinus, typically found in swine, is increasingly identified in human infections, particularly in the female genitourinary tract. Further research is needed to determine if these bacteria are significant human pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Human Health
Background:
- Streptococcus porcinus is a bacterium primarily associated with swine infections.
- Human infections caused by S. porcinus are infrequently reported.
- Recent findings indicate a potential increase in S. porcinus identification in human clinical samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the identification and characteristics of Streptococcus porcinus strains isolated from human sources.
- To investigate the prevalence and potential clinical significance of S. porcinus in human infections.
- To assess antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of human-isolate S. porcinus strains.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of bacterial cultures identified as S. porcinus from human patients in the United States and Canada over a 10-year period.
- Characterization of isolates using hemolytic, serologic (including a provisional C1 serogroup), and physiologic methods.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against common antibiotics.
Main Results:
- Thirteen S. porcinus strains were identified from human sources, with seven isolated in the last 15 months.
- Nine strains belonged to a single provisional serogroup, C1.
- Nine isolates originated from the genitourinary tract of reproductive-age females, some with delivery complications.
- All strains were susceptible to penicillin and erythromycin, but 54% exhibited resistance to tetracycline.
Conclusions:
- The increasing isolation of Streptococcus porcinus from human sources, especially the genitourinary tract, may indicate a shift in human microflora.
- While S. porcinus is susceptible to several key antibiotics, tetracycline resistance is notable.
- The pathogenic role of S. porcinus in human infections requires further investigation.