Medical Care

Most S bovis isolates are susceptible to penicillin (MIC ≤ 0.1 mg/L) and should be treated with intravenous penicillin G or ceftriaxone for 4 weeks. An alternative for only uncomplicated cases of native-valve endocarditis is a 2-week course of therapy with a combination of penicillin G or ceftriaxone and gentamicin. For moderately susceptible isolates (MIC >0.1 mg/L, MIC ≤ 0.5 mg/L), penicillin or ceftriaxone and gentamicin should be administered for 4 weeks and 2 weeks, respectively.^[16]

Surgical Care

Surgical valve replacement is indicated in some cases, particularly for heart failure or complications of endocarditis (see Complications).

Mycotic aneurysm clipping after cerebral arteriography may be indicated.

Based on the findings from the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract, colon or hepatobiliary surgery may be indicated.

Consultations

Consult an infectious diseases specialist to confirm the diagnosis of Streptococcus group D infection and to recommend treatment for endocarditis or bacteremia.

Consult a cardiologist to evaluate heart function, including echocardiography findings.

A cardiovascular surgeon can assist with valvular replacement, if indicated. Having the cardiac surgeon involved from the start is a good practice in case the patient's heart condition abruptly deteriorates.

Obtain a consultation with a neurosurgeon for possible clipping if mycotic aneurysms are present.

Obtain a consultation with a general surgeon or gastroenterologist to investigate and treat colonic or hepatobiliary disease.

Medication

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Author

Shirin A Mazumder, MD, FIDSA Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Infectious Disease Fellowship Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Methodist Physicians

Shirin A Mazumder, MD, FIDSA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of HIV Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, HIV Medicine Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Memphis Medical Society, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

John L Brusch, MD, FACP Corresponding Faculty Member, Harvard Medical School

John L Brusch, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD David Ross Boyd Professor and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Stewart G Wolf Endowed Chair in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center; Master of the American College of Physicians; Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America; Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, Association of Professors of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Oklahoma State Medical Association, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Christian P Sinave, MD Associate Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Sherbrooke Faculty of Medicine, Canada

Christian P Sinave, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Microbiology, Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD Professor, Chief of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, International Immunocompromised Host Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Tomas Michael Ferguson, MD Consulting Staff, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Tripler Army Medical Center

Tomas Michael Ferguson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

John W Downs, MD Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center

John W Downs, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.