Group Q Streptococci I. Ecology, Serology, Physiology, and Relationship to Established Enterococci

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Abstract
The group-Q streptococci possess unique serological and physiological characteristics which differentiate them from established enterococci. The group-Q antigen was not demonstrable in all strains; however, all possessed the group-D antigen. All group-Q strains were physiologically similar regardless of whether or not they possessed the group-Q antigen. These strains differed from the established enterococcal species, as they neither hydrolyzed arginine nor initiated growth in 1. 0% methylene blue-milk. They also differed radically in the fermentation of various carbohydrates, especially the polyhydric sugar alcohols. The results indicate that the group-Q streptococci constitute a unique taxonomic entity; the species designation Streptococcus avium sp. n. is suggested, owing to their characteristic occurrence in chicken fecal specimens.

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