Streptococcus anginosus strain OUP21

Streptococcus anginosus strain OUP21 is a Gram-positive, cocci-shaped bacterium classified as a facultative anaerobe. It is a chemoheterotroph, deriving its energy from organic compounds, and thrives optimally at a temperature of 37°C, placing it within the mesophilic range. This strain possesses a single replicon and does not exhibit mobility, as it lacks flagella. This bacterium is predominantly found in the host gut of Homo sapiens, where it can exist as part of the normal microbiota. However, S. anginosus strain OUP21 is also recognized for its pathogenic potential. It is associated with a range of serious health issues, including pneumonia, endocarditis (including infective endocarditis), severe systemic infections, bacteraemia, lung abscesses, pleural empyema, and infections of the genitourinary tract. The strain is capable of causing pyogenic and invasive infections, highlighting its role as a significant opportunistic pathogen in human health. The presence of S. anginosus in the gut microbiome indicates its potential to influence both health and disease states in humans. Its dual role as a commensal organism and a pathogen underscores the complexity of host-microbe interactions. Understanding the ecological dynamics of S. anginosus strain OUP21 may provide insights into its pathogenic mechanisms and contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for infections associated with this strain.