From the Research
Aerococcus viridans is a gram-positive, catalase and oxidase negative, microaerophylic and non-motile coccus that can cause opportunistic infections in humans, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, and is often associated with urinary tract infections, endocarditis, and bacteremia 1.
Key Characteristics
- Aerococcus viridans is a gram-positive bacterial species that typically appears in clusters or tetrads under microscopic examination
- It is considered part of the normal flora in some environments but can occasionally cause opportunistic infections in humans
- The organism can be difficult to identify in clinical laboratories as it may be misidentified as staphylococci, streptococci, or enterococci due to similar growth characteristics
Clinical Significance
- Aerococcus viridans has been associated with urinary tract infections, endocarditis, and bacteremia, particularly in patients with underlying conditions
- Proper identification through molecular methods or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is important for appropriate management of infections caused by this organism
- Treatment options may include penicillin or ampicillin as first-line antibiotic choices, with vancomycin as an alternative for penicillin-allergic patients, and combination therapy with gentamicin for serious infections 2, 3
Treatment Considerations
- Treatment duration generally ranges from 7-14 days for uncomplicated infections, while endocarditis or other invasive infections may require 4-6 weeks of therapy
- Antimicrobial therapy should be initiated in symptomatic patients who have Aerococcus viridans isolated in significant amounts in urine or from a sterile site, and should be guided by antibiotic susceptibility testing results 1, 2