Elliot N. Dehaan, MD

Bacteremia caused by viridans streptococci frequently presentsin a subacute fashion and can lead to complicated infections.It usually manifests from an oral source and may result inseeding of the heart valves. We describe a case of viridansstreptococci bacteremia that developed after a dental procedureand was complicated by endocarditis and vertebral osteomyelitis.Symptoms and signs that may heighten suspicion forcomplicated bacteremia caused by viridans streptococci arediscussed. [Infect Med. 2008;25:552-555]