Granulicatella adiacens is a fastidious Gram-positive cocci (pairs, chains) and is part of the nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS).

[4][2] NVS has less often been implicated in a variety of other infections, including those of the orbit, nasolacrimal duct and breast implants.

[5] Among the members of the genus Granulicatella, G. adiacens seems to be more capable of causing IE, possibly due to its capacity to bind to the cardiac valvular tissue.

[2] More often than not, IE due to NVS produces detectable vegetations, although other classic IE signs (e.g., Osler nodes) are usually not present.

[2] The Granulicatella genus is more resistant to antibiotics than viridans streptococci (another common cause of IE), although it is still often susceptible to clindamycin, erythromycin, rifampicin and vancomycin.