New method of grouping beta-hemolytic streptococci directly on sheep blood agar plates by coagglutination of specifically sensitized protein A-containing staphylococci.
A technique is described that allows the grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci directly upon the primary colony. This was accomplished by applying a small drop of specifically sensitized protein A-containing Staphylococcus aureus over a colony of streptococci, rocking the plate to allow mixing of the particles with the soluble group-specific polysaccharide, which in the case of beta-hemolytic streptocicci was produced in abundance during colony formation, and observing for agglutination of the sensitized particles. Such a simple test for group A beta-hemolytic streptococci should allow accurate identification of group A streptococci in small laboratories, such as in clinics or physicians' offices, as well as in the larger public health and private laboratories.
D000362:Agar; D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D001769:Blood; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D012703:Serotyping / Q000379:methods*; D012756:Sheep; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000276:immunology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D000362:Agar