Streptococcus and enterococcus identification
Media
1 BAP or sheep blood agar
Beta Streptococcus Group A bacteria are
1. beta hemolytic 2. bacitracin sensitive 3. SXT resistant.
Bacteria
BAP w S. pneumonia and enterococcus
Growth in 6.5% salt broth differentiates between Enterococcus sp. and Streptococci Gr. D. Enterococcus because
Enterococcus sp. grows in high salt concentrations and Streptococci Gr. D. Enterococcus does not
Beta Streptococcus Group B
Streptococcus agalactiae (genus and species)
Beta Streptococcus Group B
These bacteria cause infections in neonates resulting in septicemia, pneumonia, or meningitis.
Streptococcus Group D bacteria
are normal flora of many sites of the body, and rarely cause serious infections.
Viridans Streptococcus
are normal flora of mucous membranes. This bacteria causes dental caries (cavities) and sometimes endocarditis.
Beta Streptococcus Group B bacteria
are usually beta hemolytic and give a positive result with the CAMP test.
Growth in 6.5 % NaCL broth is indicated
by a distinct cloudy appearance to the media
Strep GR. D bacteria
can be alpha, beta, or gamma
Streptococci and enterococci are
common inhabitants of the environment and are normal flora in many sites of the body. However, some can be pathogenic resulting in serious infection.
Some bacteria produce a factor called CAMP factor which
enhances the beta hemolytic activity of Staph aureus on BAP.
Enterococcus species
frequently can cause urinary tract, intra-abdominal and wound infections.
Streptococci and Enterococci (family streptococcaceae) are classified as gram __
gram positive cocci usually occuring in pairs or chains.
equipment
inoculating loop, forceps, bunsen burner
Bacitracin
is a antimicrobial agent. The Bacitracin test aids in differentiating Beta Strep Gr. A-sensitive to bacitracin from other Beta Streptococci but the SXT disc test is needed too.
SXT
is a antimicrobial agent. The SXT test aids in differentiating Beta Strep Gr. A-(resistant) to SXT to other Beta Streptococci but the bacitracin test is needed too.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. This bacteria causes bacteremia and meningitis. Also, always Alpha hemolytic.
Enterococcus species -(previously called Streptococcus ) bacteria are
normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bacteria may cause sub-acute bacterial endocarditis. The bacteria can be alpha, beta, or gamma hemolytic.
The inhibition of S. pneumonia by
optochin differentiates this bacterium from other Streptococci.
Viridans Streptococcus
produce negative results with optochin, bile esculin, and salt test, and this bacteria may be alpha or gamma hemolytic.
Beta Streptococcus Group B commonly causes
puerperal sepsis, female genital tract infections, and urinary tract infections.
On Bap, the colonies appear
small and translucent.
Beta Streptococcus Group A (Streptococcus pyogenes (genus and species) infections include
strep throat, acute endocarditis, acute glomerulonephritis, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, septicemia, pneumonia, erysipelas, and many other illnesses.
Streptococcus Group D are common cause of
sub-acute bacterial endocarditis.
Differentiating Strep GR. D from other streptococci and enterococci involves using
the bile esculin test (positive) and 6.5 % salt test (negative).
These genera vary in
the hemolysis of red blood cells and are catalase negative.
Esculetin reacts with ferric ions in
the medium to produce a blackening of the medium. A positive must have at least half of the medium turning dark. Less than that is negative.
Differentiating Enterococcus from Strep GR D require
the use of bile esculin (positive) and the 6.5 % salt broth (positive).
6.5 % NaCL broth test determines
whether an organism can grow in a high salt environment.