Pathology
The organisms are most abundant in the mouth, and one member of the group, S. mutans, is the etiologic agent of dental caries. Others may be involved in other mouth or gingival infections.
If they are introduced into the bloodstream, they have the potential of causing endocarditis, particularly in individuals with damaged heart valves. They are the most common causes of subacute bacterial endocarditis.
Viridans streptococci have the unique ability to synthesize dextrans from glucose, which allows them to adhere to fibrin-platelet aggregates at damaged heart valves. This mechanism underlies their ability to cause subacute valvular heart disease following their introduction into the bloodstream (e.g., following tooth extraction).
Read more about this topic: Streptococcus Viridans
Famous quotes containing the word pathology:
“It is often said that Poland is a country where there is anti-semitism and no Jews, which is pathology in its purest state.”
—Bronislaw Geremek (b. 1932)