IDENTIFICATION OF VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT LACTIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM HUMANS

By using cell morphology, arginine dihydrolase, and gas production in de Man, Sharp, Rogosa broth, 122 isolates of vancomycin-resistant lact ic bacteria from humans were assigned to five profiles, allowing us to distinguish Pediococcus, homofermentative and heterofermentative Lact obacillus, and Leuconostoc species. The absence Of L-(+)-lactic acid, as detected spectrophotometrically, was confirmatory for leuconostoc s pecies. API 50 CHL panels were useful for the identification of Lactob acillus species.