Rank: Species
Lineage: Bacteria;Firmicutes;Bacilli;Lactobacillales;Streptococcaceae;Streptococcus;Streptococcus sobrinus
Description: Streptococci. Streptococci are Gram-positive, nonmotile, nonsporeforming, catalase-negative cocci that occur in pairs or chains. Members of this genus vary widely in pathogenic potential. Most streptococci are facultative anaerobes, and some are obligate anaerobes. The genus is classified on the basis of colony morphology, hemolysis, biochemical reactions, and serologic specificity. They are divided into three groups by the type of hemolysis on blood agar plates: beta-hemolytic, alpha-hemolytic or gamma-hemolytic. Serologic grouping is based on antigenic differences in cell wall carbohydrates, in cell wall pili-associated protein, and in the polysaccharide capsule in group B streptococci.Streptococcus sobrinus. This organism was originally classified as a subspecies of S. mutans but was subsequently elevated to it's own species. S. sobrinus is a precursor to dental caries (cavities) and is a cause of bacterial endocarditis.
Reference Material:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/?term=Streptococcus%20sobrinus
