Bacterium
Streptococcus gallolyticus (bovis)
Group D strep linked to colon cancer
strep-tuh-KOK-us gal-oh-LIT-ih-kus
High-yield clue
Streptococcus gallolyticus (bovis) bacteremia and endocarditis carry a strong study association with colorectal adenomas and carcinoma.
Overview
A group D, non-enterococcal streptococcus (formerly Streptococcus bovis) whose bacteremia and endocarditis carry a strong study association with colorectal neoplasia. It is a classic 'bug and body-site link' teaching point.
Classification
- Gram-positive
- Cocci in chains
- Group D streptococcus
- Non-enterococcal
- Bile-esculin positive
Lab & identification clues
- Bile-esculin positive
- Group D antigen
- Grows in bile
- Does not grow in 6.5% NaCl (contrast with Enterococcus)
Associations
- Colorectal adenoma / carcinoma association
- Infective endocarditis in older adults
- Gastrointestinal colonization
Commonly confused with
- Enterococcus (also group D)
- Viridans streptococci
Your notes
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.