BACTERIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF STREPTOCOCCUS AGALACTIAE - FREQUENCY AND CONDITIONS OF ONSET OF PIGMENTATION - SENSITIVITY TO ANTIBIOTICS

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  • 1 January 1975
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (5) , 369-377
Abstract
The homogeneity of the bacteriological characteristics of S. agalactiae is demonstrated. Useful in diagnosis were the following constant traits: hydrolysis of hippuric acid; arginine hydrolysis; .alpha. hemolysis; pigmentation; absence of esculin fermentation; and absence of resistance to NaCl and methylene blue. No biotype seemed exclusively related to a particular bovine or human origin. The pigmentation of these strains is particularly interesting as a criterion for differentiation, since pigmentation is rare in streptococci. Pigmentation varied on different media and although the pigment could be extracted, its nature and significance are obscure. Sensitivity to antibiotics is especially dominated by extreme sensitivity to .beta.-lactams, which seem the antibiotics of choice for treatment of infections due to this organism.