Streptococcus S.B.E.: A Streptococcus Associated with Bacterial Endocarditis

1946; Niven and White, 1946) a report has been presented outlining the identities of various streptococcus cultures isolated from a large number of cases of sub-acute bacterial endocarditis. One of the largest groups recorded appeared to represent a hitherto unrecognized variety, or species. This streptococcus, which was recovered from approximately one-third of the patients afflicted with bacterial endocarditis, has several unique physiological characteristics which afford a relatively simple and accurate means for identification. Furthermore, all the strains which have been studied thus far have fallen into one of two serological types. For the sake of convenience this streptococcus is referred to as "Streptococcus s.b.e." The successful use of penicillin-anticoagulant therapy for subacute bacterial endocarditis by Loewe (1945a, 1945b) has recently received wide attention. For the first time a large proportion of the patients suffering from this disease are being cured. As reported by Loewe, a majority of the cases which do not respond to the treatment are ones from which Streptococcus s.b.e. have been re