Characteristics of different Sterptococcus suis ecovars and description of a simplified identification method

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 141 - 150
• Main Authors: Devriese, L.A., Ceyssens, K., Hommez, J., Kilpper-Bälz, R., Schleifer, K.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1991
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1135(91)90050-P

Streptococcus suis strains associated with different animal hosts or located in different body regions consitute special ecovars of S. suis. A group of CO 2-dependent strains which showed several unusual traits was found in the genital tract of swine, and mannitol- and sorbitol-fermenting strains were isolated from sheep, cattle and horses. S. suis was found to be biochemically more hetergenous than orignally described. A detailed description is given of additional characteristics of the species as well as of characters which should be modified int he species description. A simple scheme which uses the amylase and the Voges-Proskauer (acetoin) reactions for the identification of S. suis is proposed. All S. suis strains tested produced a characteristics amylase reaction on Mueller-Hinton plates or on Columbia Agar Base enriched with starch.