title: Species identities of enterococci isolated from clinical specimens.
abstract: Conventional tests and commercially available systems were used to determine the species identities of clinical isolates of enterococci. Strict adherence to the conventional test scheme of Facklam and Collins (R. R. Facklam and M. D. Collins, J. Clin. Microbiol. 27:731-734, 1989) resulted in the misidentification of lactose-negative Enterococcus faecalis isolates as Enterococcus solitarius, but this problem was overcome by the application of additional tests. The commercially available systems tested were unable to recognize some of the more recently described enterococcal species. E. faecalis accounted for 87.1% of 302 consecutive isolates. Enterococcus faecium (8.6%), Enterococcus avium (0.7%), Enterococcus durans (0.3%), Enterococcus gallinarum (1.0%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (1.0%), Enterococcus hirae (0.3%), and Enterococcus raffinosus (0.3%) isolates were also identified. None of the isolates produced beta-lactamase, but 15.4% of 235 isolates tested, including 1 strain of E. gallinarum, displayed high-level resistance to gentamicin.
authors.affiliation: Francis Blake Bacteriology Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Ruoff
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de la Maza
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Murtagh
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Spargo
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ferraro
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005839:Gentamicins; D001618:beta-Lactamases