The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Streptococcus bovis Bacteremia: Association with Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease in a Predominantly Hispanic Population”

Authors: John W. Birk, MD, Jonathan Wilmot, MD

Abstract

Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) is a Gram-positive cocci that includes four major species, all of which are a small percentage of the normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteremia of S. bovis has been associated with both colonic neoplasia and chronic liver disease. In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Zuckerman and colleagues present an interesting retrospective study of S. bovis bacteremia in a predominantly Hispanic population.1 They hypothesize that in their Hispanic population, S. bovis bacteremia is associated not only with gastrointestinal pathology but also chronic liver disease. The authors systematically reviewed all patients with S. bovis bacteremia at the University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas from January 2000 to December 2010. The patients’ clinical features, demographics, and endoscopic and pathologic findings were recorded.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Alvarez A, Garcia CJ, Jia Y, et al. Streptococcus bovis bacteremia: association with gastrointestinal and liver disease in a predominantly Hispanic population. South Med J 2015;108:430-431.
 
2. Boleij A, van Gelder MM, Swinkels DW, et al. Clinical importance of Streptococcus gallolyticus infection among colorectal cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis 2011;53:870-878.
 
3. Gold JS, Bayar S, Salem RR. Association of Streptococcus bovis bacteremia with colonic neoplasia and extracolonic malignancy. Arch Surg 2004;139:760-765.
 
4. Sharara AI, Abou Hamdan T, Malli A, et al. Association of Streptococcus bovis endocarditis and advanced colorectal neoplasia: a case-control study. J Dig Dis 2013;14:382-387.
 
5. Alazmi W, Bustamante M, O’Loughlin C, et al. The association of Streptococcus bovis bacteremia and gastrointestinal diseases: a retrospective analysis. Dig Dis Sci 2006;51:732-736.
 
6. Gonzlez-Quintela A, Martınez-Rey C, Castroagudın JF, et al. Prevalence of liver disease in patients with Streptococcus bovis bacteraemia. J Infect 2001;42:116-119.