CARDIOVASCULAR INFECTIONS CAUSED BY STREPTOCOCCUS ANGINOSUS GROUP IN PATIENTS WITH UNDERLYING CONDITION LIKE DIABETES MELLITUS

The importance of the Streptococcus anginosus group (formerly called S. milleri group) in human pathology continues to be underestimated. The aim of this paper is to underline the contribution of these bacteria in producing different cardiovascular infections, like: infective endocarditis, pericarditis, myocardial abscess, arthritis and thrombophlebitis etc., especially in patients with different underlying conditions, e.g. diabetes mellitus, cancer, etc. The results of many published studies have proved the role played by the S. anginosus group in oral and non-oral infections, either as single aetiological agents or associated to other bacteria. It is important that the academic staff, researchers, clinical specialists and general practitioners should be aware of the possible occurrence of life-threatening complications in infections produced by S. anginosus group, in order to recognize and apply proper treatments to these diseases, and to encourage further research studies focused on their pathogenic factors and mechanisms.