Streptococcus cecorum, a New Species Isolated from Chickens

Abstract
Carboxyphilic strains which had characteristics commonly attributed to the group D streptococci and especially to S. bovis were isolated from the ceca of chickens. These strains differed from S. bovis in being positive for ribose, melezitose, .beta.-glucuronidase and alkaline phosphatase, and negative for group D reactions and growth enhancement by CO2. These differences were confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridization tests. The strains form a new species, for which the name S. cecorum is proposed. Strain A60 (= NCDO 2674) is the type strain of this species.