RE: 'Streptococcus pluranimalium: A novel human pathogen?'. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pongratz, Peter; Ebbers, Meinolf; Geerdes-Fenge, Hilte; Reisinger, Emil C.
• Is Part Of: International journal of surgery case reports. Volume 41(2017)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 494
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: Streptococcus pluranimalium -- Transcatheter aortic valve -- Endocarditis -- Prosthetic valve -- Emerging infectious disease -- Case report; Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative -- Periodicals; Surgery; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2017.10.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-2612

Abstract

Highlights: 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 ® . New techniques (MALDI-TOF, 16S rRNA analysis) enabled discrimination of pathogens such as these nonhemolytic streptococci. Until now there exists no conclusive evidence in the case of Streptococcus pluranimalium as a human pathogen. A critical review of the published literature confirms this result. 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.