Human and bovine group B streptococci: two distinct populations

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Abstract
Group B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae) from humans and animals were compared for cultural, biochemical, serological and bacteriocin sensitivity properties. Each isolate possessed the group B carbohydrate antigen, hydrolyzed hippurate and was cAMP test positive. Most human isolates were characterized as bacitracin resistant, pigment producing, hemolytic and salicin, but not lactose utilizing. In contrast bovine isolates were usually bacitracin sensitive, non-pigment producing, non-hemolytic, salicin and lactose utilizing. Isolates from other animals behaved similarly to those from humans. Whereas human isolates belonged to a variety of serotypes and were uniformly sensitive to bacteriocins, bovine isolates showed varying sensitivity to bacteriocins, and most belonged to serotype II or were non-typable. These results apparently support the belief that S. agalactiae from humans and cattle are separate populations sharing the same group B carbohydrate antigen.