Skip to main content
PMC home page
Applied Microbiology logoLink to Applied Microbiology
. 1974 Jan;27(1):107–113. doi: 10.1128/am.27.1.107-113.1974

Presumptive Identification of Group A, B, and D Streptococci

R R Facklam 1, J F Padula 1, L G Thacker 1, E C Wortham 1, B J Sconyers 1
PMCID: PMC379976  PMID: 4589119

Abstract

A battery of five tests was used for presumptive identification of the pathogenic streptococci. The non-serological methods included determination of hemolysis for all strains, bacitracin susceptibility for group A streptococci, hippurate hydrolysis by group B streptococci, and bile-esculin reaction for group D streptococci. Enterococcal group D streptococci were differentiated from non-enterococcal group D streptococci by 6.5% NaCl tolerance. Two other categories of streptococci resulted: beta-hemolytic streptococci non-groups A, B, or D; and alpha- or nonhemolytic streptococci, not enterococci, not further identified (viridans streptococci). The tests were used as a battery and not as single entities. In this manner more than 99% of the group A, 99% of the group B, 81% of the beta-hemolytic streptococci non-group A, B, or D, 99% of the group D enterococci, 97% of the group D non-enterococci, and 94% of the viridans streptococci were correctly identified.

Full text

PDF

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Baker C. J., Barrett F. F., Gordon R. C., Yow M. D. Suppurative meningitis due to streptococci of Lancefield group B: a study of 33 infants. J Pediatr. 1973 Apr;82(4):724–729. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(73)80606-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Barton L. L., Feigin R. D., Lins R. Group B beta hemolytic streptococcal meningitis in infants. J Pediatr. 1973 Apr;82(4):719–723. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(73)80605-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Braunstein H., Tucker E. B., Gibson B. C. Identification and significance of Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield group B). Am J Clin Pathol. 1969 Feb;51(2):207–213. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/51.2.207. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Ederer G. M., Herrmann M. M., Bruce R., Matsen J. M., Chapman S. S. Rapid extraction method with pronase B for grouping beta-hemolytic streptococci. Appl Microbiol. 1972 Feb;23(2):285–288. doi: 10.1128/am.23.2.285-288.1972. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Facklam R. R. Comparison of several laboratory media for presumptive identification of enterococci and group D streptococci. Appl Microbiol. 1973 Aug;26(2):138–145. doi: 10.1128/am.26.2.138-145.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Facklam R. R., Moody M. D. Presumptive identification of group D streptococci: the bile-esculin test. Appl Microbiol. 1970 Aug;20(2):245–250. doi: 10.1128/am.20.2.245-250.1970. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Facklam R. R. Recognition of group D streptococcal species of human origin by biochemical and physiological tests. Appl Microbiol. 1972 Jun;23(6):1131–1139. doi: 10.1128/am.23.6.1131-1139.1972. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Franciosi R. A., Knostman J. D., Zimmerman R. A. Group B streptococcal neonatal and infant infections. J Pediatr. 1973 Apr;82(4):707–718. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(73)80604-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Gordon D. F., Jr Reisolation of Staphylococcus salivarius from the human oral cavity. J Bacteriol. 1967 Nov;94(5):1281–1286. doi: 10.1128/jb.94.5.1281-1286.1967. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. JONES W. F., Jr, FELDMAN H. A., FINLAND M. Susceptibility of hemolytic streptococci, other than those of group D, to eleven antibiotics in vitro. Am J Clin Pathol. 1957 Feb;27(2):159–169. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/27.2.159. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. MAXTED W. R. The use of bacitracin for identifying group A haemolytic streptococci. J Clin Pathol. 1953 Aug;6(3):224–226. doi: 10.1136/jcp.6.3.224. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. McCracken G. H., Jr Group B streptococci: the new challenge in neonatal infections. J Pediatr. 1973 Apr;82(4):703–706. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(73)80603-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Smith R. F., Dayton S. L., Chipps D. D. Autograft rejection in acutely burned patients: relation to colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae. Appl Microbiol. 1973 Mar;25(3):493–495. doi: 10.1128/am.25.3.493-495.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Toala P., McDonald A., Wilcox C., Finland M. Susceptibility of group D streptococcus (enterococcus) to 21 antibiotics in vitro, with special reference to species differences. Am J Med Sci. 1969 Dec;258(6):416–430. doi: 10.1097/00000441-196912000-00006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Wilkinson H. W., Facklam R. R., Wortham E. C. Distribution by serological type of group B streptococci isolated from a variety of clinical material over a five-year period (with special reference to neonatal sepsis and meningitis). Infect Immun. 1973 Aug;8(2):228–235. doi: 10.1128/iai.8.2.228-235.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Wilkinson H. W., Thacker L. G., Facklam R. R. Nonhemolytic group B streptococci of human, bovine, and ichthyic origin. Infect Immun. 1973 Mar;7(3):496–498. doi: 10.1128/iai.7.3.496-498.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Applied Microbiology are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES