Viridans streptococci bacteremia in children with malignancy: relevance of species identification and penicillin susceptibility.

Our aim was to determine the significance of species identification and penicillin susceptibility of viridans streptococci in children with malignancies. Streptococcus mitis accounted for 58% of invasive viridans streptococcal infections of which 51% were penicillin-nonsusceptible. There was no significant association between species or penicillin susceptibility pattern and clinical presentation or outcome.