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Anaerobic Gram-positive cocci
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Peptostreptococcus species
Peptostreptococcus:
- Anaerobic, Gram-positive, non-spore forming bacteria.
- 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.
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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 OR Ampicillin-sulbactam (Unasyn®) 1.5 – 3.0 grams IV q6h
- Penicillin VK 500mg orally every 6 hours OR Penicillin G 1-2 million units IV q6h
- Several others but considered ‘overkill’ e.g. Piperacillin-Tazobactam, Vancomycin, Imipenem, Daptomycin, Linezolid.
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