Streptococcus salivarius – Infection, Transmission & Diseases
Streptococcus salivarius
Bacteria of the species Streptococcus salivarius belong to the genus Streptococci , to the department Firmicutes, to the class Bacilli and to the order Lactic acid bacteria. They occur physiologically in the oral flora . However, there is always a risk of infection, especially for people with a weakened immune system.
Was ist Streptococcus salivarius?
Streptococci are grouped under the Firmicutes department in the bacterial domain and assigned to the Bacilli class. They belong to the order of the lactic acid bacteria or Lactobacillales and fall into the family of the Streptococcaceae. The genus Streptococcus includes different species of bacteria. All species of the genus show gram-positive staining behavior.
One species of streptococci is the short-chain species Streptococcus salivarius, which cannot actively move. The bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus, which was then known as Streptococcus salivarius subsp. termed thermophilus.
The bacteria of the species Streptococcus salivarius colonize the human oral cavity in the form of saprophytes a few hours after birth , where they do more good than harm. Like most other bacteria, however, they can cause neutropenia if they get into the blood and thus trigger sepsis ( blood poisoning ).
Occurrence, Distribution & Properties
The Streptococcus genus includes various bacterial species that are approximately spherical in shape and are usually arranged in chains. The representatives of the species Streptococcus salivarius are considered to be aerotolerant. This means that they can use oxygen for their metabolism, but are not fundamentally dependent on it. Their metabolism is facultatively anaerobic and they can use alternative oxidants instead of oxygen in energy metabolism.
The cocciform bacteria, like many other [[cocci],] grow in short chains. These are saprophytes that do not carry out any chemo- or photosynthesis. They only feed themselves heterotrophically and consequently use organic, dead substances to generate energy and to build up endogenous substances. They break down energy-rich substances and convert them into inorganic substances.
In humans, saprophytes such as Streptococcus typically colonize internal and external body surfaces. Bacteria of the species Streptococcus salivarius colonize the human oral cavity immediately after birth.
Meaning & Function
Along with the related species Streptococcus sanguis , Streptococcus salivarius bacteria attach themselves to the plaque of the teeth shortly after birth , where they create an optimal environment for other cocci. These other cocci form the so-called oral flora or bacterial primary flora of the oral cavity.
All cocci species keep in touch with each other and are capable of symbiotic relationships. For example, Streptococcus mutans extracts glycoproteins from food substances in the saliva , which other bacteria can use as food. Together with Streptococcus sobrinus, it forms a matrix with an anaerobic environment, which prevents alien aerobic bacteria from colonizing the oropharynx.
Since bacteria of the species Streptococcus salivarius ultimately prepare the living environment for the bacteria of the healthy oral flora and interact with these bacteria, they are useful to humans. However, this only applies to a certain extent. Due to the fluid boundary between saprophytes and parasites , an organism of the species Streptococcus salivarius can, under certain circumstances, go from being a harmless fellow resident to a pathogenic parasite, especially for people with an immunological deficit.
Such an infection is called an opportunistic infection. Since the infection in this case goes back to bacteria from the body’s own flora, it is also an endogenous infection. For healthy people with a strong constitution, the benefit of Streptococcus salivarius outweighs this, while older and otherwise weakened people carry the risk of infection due to the colonization.
Diseases & Ailments
Bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans are best known as caries bacteria. Colonization with Streptococcus salivarius also promotes colonization of the teeth with the caries bacterium due to the symbiotic relationship between individual cocci species. Together with Streptococcus sobrinus, these bacteria attach themselves to the primary flora built up by Streptococcus salivarius on the teeth and find themselves in an ecological niche.
The bacteria in the oral flora form lactate and other acids by absorbing carbohydrates and sugars. The acidity of these acids lowers the pH environment in the oral cavity. The resulting acidic environment releases substances from the apatite lattice of the tooth enamel , above all carbonates, fluorine and phosphates . In this way, the tooth enamel gradually loses hardness, so that the teeth are more likely to develop initial caries. If the caries continues to progress, we speak of enamel caries, pulp caries or dentine caries.
Even worse are the consequences of an actual infection with Streptococcus salivarius. This can be the case, for example, when the bacteria are spread into the blood. Such a procrastination is usually preceded by dental operations, during which the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause bacteremia .
For patients with a strong immune system , the bacteremia is temporary as their immune system fights and eliminates the microorganisms before they can spread throughout the body. In immunocompromised patients, bacteremia persists for longer and, if left untreated, can lead to sepsis, which is often accompanied by a decrease in white blood cells . Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and corresponds to a systemic inflammatory reaction throughout the body. The bacteria also reach vital organs via the bloodstream . For example, they can cause inflammation of the inner lining of the heart .
Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.