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Anomalies in species identification of enterococci from veterinary sources using a commercial biochemical identification system
Author(s) -
Hudson C.R.,
FedorkaCray P.J.,
JacksonHall M.C.,
Hiott L.M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2003.01302.x
Subject(s) - biology , enterococcus , enterococcus faecalis , microbiology and biotechnology , veterinary medicine , identification (biology) , species identification , genus , enterococcus faecium , bacteria , zoology , antibiotics , genetics , medicine , ecology , staphylococcus aureus
Aims: A commercial biochemical panel ID kit was used to identify presumptive enterococci isolates of veterinary or agricultural origin obtained during different steps of culture. Methods and Results: Fifty isolates identified as enterococci using a genus PCR assay were tested for genus and species identification using the BBL Crystal Identification Gram‐Positive ID kit (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD, USA). Following sub‐culture of the isolates three times, 59% agreement with the original panel ID was obtained. After four and six sub‐cultures, percentage agreement increased to 61 and 64%, respectively. Nineteen of the 50 cultures were identified as both Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium . Conclusions: As a result of the variability between speciation of isolates following re‐culture, additional methods for speciation are warranted. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study suggests that the identification of the genus and species of non‐human enterococcal isolates can vary greatly during successive passages when using this kit.