Streptomyces species

Gram Stain

  • Gram positive bacilli (aerobic)

Clinical Significance

Streptomyces spp can cause subcutaneous mycetomas.

They have been associated with traumatic wound infections, cervical adenitis, septicemia, endocarditis, pericarditis, pneumonia, peritonitis, medical device related infections, septic arthritis, and brain abscesses, typically in immunocompromised patients.

 

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

Streptomyces species tend to be susceptible to imipenem, aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracyclines (minocycline best activity), and rifampin.

They are typically resistant to ampicillin and daptomycin.

 

Susceptibility to quinolones and TMP/SMX is variable.

 

Empiric Therapy
Clinically significant infection:
Imipenem
or
Linezolid