How Is Streptococcus Sanguinis Treated ?

Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 Answered on

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Question : I'm a 47 year old woman 5'0'' and 180 pounds who found a nonpainful abscess in my vagina, Upon incision and drainage a culture was taken and the results were stated as Streptococcus Sanguinis. I was put on oral Doxyciclin awaiting culture results. Will stay on that antibiotic as XXXXXXX is suceptible to it. What other health issues can be underlying this infection?

Answered by Dr. Kiran Kumar (30 minutes later)

Hi Mireinaliz,

Streptococcus Sanguinis is a normal facultative aerobe present in health humans in the oral cavity. Its the part of the Dental Plaque.

Under certain situations. it can gain entry into blood stream and lead infection elsewhere in the body. Vaginal infections are not common but do occur.

The treatment of choice for Streptococcus. sanguins is Penicillins, Aminoglycosides and Macrolides. You have mentioned that, you are allergic to penicillin.

Doxycycline can show in-vitro sensitivity. However, in clinical tissues it might not be sufficient if given alone; especially for abscesses. In this context, you should consult your physician and consider adding aminoglycosides or a newer macrolides for a duration of 5 days to the doxycycline treatment.

Most important site of infection due to Streptococcus sanguiniis is related to heart valve infection. This usually occurs in patient who have prosthetic heart valves or have deformed valves. In such patients, a prophylactic antibiotics is given before any dental/oral manipulation.

Just wonder if you had any dental treatment in recent past.
Get your self evaluated for Diabetes as such people are prone for abscesses.

Hope this answers your query.

Do get back if you need an further information

Thanks and Regards

Dr Kiran

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Radhika