Streptococcus constellatus causing bony destruction secondary to odontogenic infection: three rare cases.

Abstract

Streptococcus constellatus is part of the Str milleri subgroup. It is a commensal organism that is often present in the oral flora, and has been implicated in pyogenic infections of the central nervous system, abdomen, and deep neck spaces. We present three patients within our unit who developed bony destruction in the facial bones and base of the skull after odontogenic infections. Str constellatus, a known oral and gut commensal that may cause atypical presentations in odontogenic abscesses, was cultured in all cases.