Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis)

Streptococcus sanguinis (formerly Streptococcus sanguis) is a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacterium that is a primary colonizer of the human oral cavity, specifically the dental pellicle (Nobbs et al., 2009). It belongs to the viridans group streptococci and plays a pivotal role in the initial stages of biofilm formation on teeth (Ge et al., 2008). While it is a commensal organism that helps maintain oral health by competing with cariogenic pathogens like Streptococcus mutans through the production of hydrogen peroxide, it can become pathogenic if it enters the bloodstream (Kreth et al., 2008). S. sanguinis is a leading cause of infective endocarditis, where it adheres to damaged heart valves or endocardial surfaces (Zhu et al., 2018). Pharmacological intervention typically targets the bacterium using cell wall synthesis inhibitors like penicillin or cephalosporins, often administered prophylactically to at-risk patients undergoing dental procedures (Wilson et al., 2007).

Other names

Streptococcus sanguisS. sanguinisS. sanguis

Antibiotics targeting Streptococcus sanguinis typically act through the inhibition of cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) or by inhibiting protein synthesis through binding to bacterial ribosomal subunits (StatPearls, 2023).