This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Facklam, R. R. Articles by Moody, M. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Facklam, R. R. Articles by Moody, M. D. Agricola Articles by Facklam, R. R. Articles by Moody, M. D.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1970 August; 20(2): 245-250
Copyright © 1970 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Presumptive Identification of Group D Streptococci: the Bile-Esculin Test

Streptococcal Bacteriology Unit, National Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Georgia 30333

ABSTRACT

Six tests commonly used for the presumptive identification of group D streptococci were evaluated. Strains tested included 282 group D streptococci and 366 non-group D. Ratios of percentages of group D to non-group D strains which gave positive reactions for each test are as follows: bile-esculin, 100:2; salt tolerance, 88:24; heat tolerance, 100:80; SF broth, 86:1; KF broth, 99:40; and methylene blue milk reduction, 90:17. These data indicate that the bile-esculin test provided a reliable means of identifying group D streptococci and differentiating them from non-group D streptococci. Methodology for reading and interpreting positive reactions and time of incubation of the bile-esculin medium was defined. Evidence of the need for standardization of salt and heat-tolerance tests was obtained.