Cells are small, spherical, and can occur in short chains, in pairs or individually.
Peptostreptococcus are slow-growing bacteria with increasing resistance to antimicrobial drugs.
Most frequently identified species of Peptostreptococcus is P. magnus.
Peptostreptococcus species are commensal organisms in humans, living predominantly in the mouth, skin, gastrointestinal, vagina and urinary tracts, and compose a portion of the bacterial gut flora.
Under immunosuppressed or traumatic conditions these organisms can become pathogenic, as well as septicemic, harming their host.
Peptostreptococcus can cause brain, liver, breast, and lung abscesses, as well as generalized necrotizing soft tissue infections.
Anaerobic gram-positive cocci such as Peptostreptococcus are the second most frequently recovered anaerobes and account for approximately one quarter of anaerobic isolates found.
Therapy:
Important considerations: The choice of an agent should be based on local antimicrobial sensitivities, site of infection, cost, and comorbid conditions. Generally, the most common agents/regimens are listed first.
Amoxicillin Usual: 250-500 mg orally three times daily or 500-875mg bid.
Augmentin 875/125 mg orally twice daily or 500/125mg three times daily or 1000mg XR (2 tabs=2000mg) q12h ORAmpicillin-sulbactam (Unasyn®) 1.5 – 3.0 grams IV q6h
