Streptococcus anginosus group
The Streptococcus anginosus group (also part of the Streptococcus milleri group) comprise of a subgroup of viridans streptococci which are gram-positive, catalase-negative bacteria.
There are three distinct main streptococcal species and several subspecies:
- S. anginosus: has two subspecies
- S. anginosus subsp anginosus
- S. anginosus subsp whileyi
- S. intermedius
- S constellatus: three subspecies
- S. constellatus subsp constellatus
- S. constellatus subsp pharyngis
- S. constellatus subsp viborgensis
A characteristic of the S. anginosus group that sets them apart from other pathogenic streptococci such as S. pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) and S. agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) is their ability to cause abscesses.
They can infect various organ systems which include:
- lung: Streptococcus anginosus pulmonary infection
- brain / CNS: Streptococcus anginosus CNS infection