Clinical Characteristics of Streptococcus Bovis Bacteremia in VGHKS

Purpose. Colon cancer is increasing in incidence and is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. S. bovis bacteremia frequently occurs with colonic neoplasia. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical characteristics of patients with S. bovis bacteremia in VGHKS. Methods. From January 2001 to December 2006, 68 patients hospitalized at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital had bacteremia caused by S. bovis. This retrospective clinical evaluation was carried out to evaluate the relationship of these patients with S. bovis bacteremia to the endocarditis, colonic neoplasia and bacteremia of hepatobiliary origin. Data was analyzed using the Student t-test for numberical variables and chi-squared for categorical variables. Differences were considered to be significant at p＜0.05. Results. Of 68 isolates of S. bovis, 25 were biotype Ⅰ and 43 were biotype Ⅱ. We excluded 16 cases because of incomplete survey. The sex and age distributions of patients infected were not significantly different. S. bovis Ⅰ bacteremia had a higher rate of endocarditis than S. bovis Ⅱ (53.3% vs. 13.5%, respectively; p=0.003). S. bovis Ⅰ bacteremia also had a higher rate of colonic neoplasia (60.0% vs. 18.9%, respectively; p=0.004). However, S. bovis Ⅰ had a lower rate of hepatobiliary source (46.7% vs. 59.5%, respectively; p=0.4). Conclusion. Because S. bovis bacteremia is the high incidence of colonic neoplasia, especially biotype Ⅰ, we should complete studies (e.g.: cardiac echo, colonoscopy, upper abdominal sonography or abdominal CT scan) as soon as possible.