[Rapid methods useful for determination of streptococcal groups with special reference to streptococci of groups B and D]

Abstract

A study was carried out on the efficiency of certain rapid methods for the identification of streptococcal groups, especially groups B and D, methods based upon physiologic properties such as hippurate hydrolysis, production of pigment, esculin hydrolysis, tolerance to salt and bilolysis, associated with the classical tests, for instance the hemolysis type and sensitivity to bacitracin and optochin. By these tests, accessible to hospital laboratories, a number of 3083 streptococcal strains were correctly identified within 2 to 18 hours, of which 2567 group A, 31 group B, 184 group C, G, 113 group D, 155 Str. pneumoniae and 31 viridans, strains isolated from pathological products.