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The role of Streptococcus intermedius in brain abscess

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Abstract

Brain abscess represents a significant medical problem, despite recent advances made in detection and therapy. Streptococcus intermedius, a commensal organism, has the potential to cause significant morbidity. S. intermedius expresses one or more members of a family of structurally and antigenically related surface proteins termed antigen I/II, which plays a potential role in its pathogenesis. It is involved in binding to human fibronectin and laminin and in inducing IL-8 release from monocytes, which promotes neutrophil chemotaxis and activation. There are few published data on the role of this organism in brain abscess. This review focuses on the clinical evidence, pathogenic role, mechanism of predisposition, and currently employed strategies to fight against S. intermedius associated to brain abscess.

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  1. Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille cedex 05, France

    A. K. Mishra & P.-E. Fournier

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  2. P.-E. Fournier
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Correspondence to P.-E. Fournier.

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Mishra, A.K., Fournier, PE. The role of Streptococcus intermedius in brain abscess. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 32, 477–483 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-012-1782-8

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