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A type of bacteria in the mouth may cause serious disease or even kill if it enters the bloodstream via bleeding gums, scientists warned.
London - A type of bacteria in the mouth may cause serious disease or even kill if it enters the bloodstream via bleeding gums, scientists warned on Tuesday.
They identified Streptococcus tigurinus for the first time after carrying out tests in which they isolated it from the blood of patients suffering inflammation of the heart, meningitis and inflammation of the spine.
Its similarity to other bacteria means it has existed until now without being identified.
Dr Andrea Zbinden, of the University of Zurich, who led the study, published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Micro-biology, said: “This bacterium seems to have a natural potential to cause severe disease. The next step is to work out how common this bacterium is in the oral cavity.” - Daily Mail
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