VIRIDANS STREPTOCOCCAL BACTEREMIA - A CLINICAL SURVEY

The occurrence of viridans streptococcal bacteraemia (VSB) in a London postgraduate teaching hospital was analysed retrospectively. Over a 3 0-month period, 39 patients with VSB were identified, and the clinical significance of VSB was assessed for each, based upon clinical and la boratory information. Endocarditis accounted for only 13% of the total patients with apparent VSB. A greater proportion of patients with VSB originated from the haematology unit (21%) and in particular, the bon emarrow transplantation unit (15%). VSB also occurred in patients with solid epithelial malignancies and in children aged <12 months. Mortal ity associated with VSB was 7%. Viridans streptococci are emerging as important pathogens in previously unrecognized clinical settings, part icularly hospitalized, immunocompromised patients.