Streptococcus bovis: Answers and questions

Bacteremia caused by Streptococcus bovis can indicate serious conditions, like endocarditis and colonic cancer. S. bovis has also been documented as an agent of central nervous system and abdominal infections and osteomyelitis. The link between S. bovis and colonic cancer is still not well understood, and observations on this relationship may have been clouded in the past by the inability to accurately identify S. bovis and related organisms. This article explores the clinical significance of bacteria identified as S. bovis, their link with gastrointestinal cancer, and the evolution of the taxonomy and classification of these organisms. Better methods of identification of S. bovis organisms may aid in unraveling the true clinical role of these bacteria.