Viridans streptococci

The viridans streptococci are a large group of commensal streptococcal Gram-positive bacteria species that are α-hemolytic, producing a green coloration on blood agar plates (hence the name "viridans", from Latin "vĭrĭdis", green), although some species in this group are actually γ-hemolytic, meaning they produce no change on blood agar.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The pseudo-taxonomic term "Streptococcus viridans" is often used to refer to this group of species, but writers who do not like to use the pseudotaxonomic term (which treats a group of species as if they were one species) prefer the terms viridans streptococci,<ref name="Dorlands_viridans streptococci">Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, headword "streptococcus", subentry "viridans streptococci".</ref> viridans group streptococci (VGS), or viridans streptococcal species.

These species possess no Lancefield antigens.<ref name=Sherris>Template:Cite book</ref> In general, pathogenicity is low.<ref>Template:MeshName</ref>

Identification

Viridans streptococci can be differentiated from Streptococcus pneumoniae using an optochin test, as viridans streptococci are optochin-resistant; they also lack either the polysaccharide-based capsule typical of S. pneumoniae or the Lancefield antigens of the pyogenic members of the genus.<ref name=Baron>Template:Cite book</ref>

	Viridans streptococci	Streptococcus pneumoniae
Lysed in bile	Insoluble	Soluble
Fermentation of inulin	Not a fermenter	Fermenter with acid production
Sensitivity to optochin	Not sensitive	Sensitive
Pathogenicity to mice	Nonpathogenic	Pathogenic
Quellung test (not actively usedTemplate:Citation needed)	Negative	Positive

Pathology

The organisms are most abundant in the mouth, and one member of the group, S. mutans, is the cause of dental caries in most cases and populations. S. sanguinis is also another potential cause. Others may be involved in other mouth or gingival infections as pericoronitis. If they are introduced into the bloodstream, they have the potential of causing endocarditis, in particular in individuals with damaged heart valves. They are the most common causes of subacute bacterial endocarditis. Viridans streptococci are identified in cases of neonatal infections.<ref name="BaucellsMercadal Hally2015">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Viridans streptococci have the unique ability to synthesize dextrans from glucose, which allows them to adhere to fibrin-platelet aggregates at damaged heart valves. This mechanism underlies their ability to cause subacute valvular heart disease following their introduction into the bloodstream (e.g., following dental extraction).

Identification

The "viridans" group is somewhat of a wastebasket or "grab bag" in streptococci classification. For a review on its identification and taxonomy, refer to Doern and Burnham (2010).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>