Streptococcus viridans--not!

Abstract

Sir .—The otherwise useful report by Abadco et al 1 in the September 1992 issue of AJDC is marred by repeated use of the incorrect term Streptococcus viridans . This, of course, does not refer to a specific genus and species but rather to a large group of α-hemolytic streptococci, correctly designated as viridans streptococci (nonitalicized). Nevertheless, the authors are correct in discounting these organisms as pathogens when isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, as they serve only to indicate that oral flora have contaminated the lavage specimen.