Identification of aesculin-hydrolyzing streptococci, lactococci, aerococciand enterococci from subclinical intramammary infections in dairy cows

Aesculin-hydrolyzing, catalase-negative, Gram-positive cocci isolated from subclinical intramammary infections in dairy cows were identified to specie s level using growth characteristics and biochemical activity. The results indicated that the aesculin-hydrolyzing cocci associated with this type of infection are a very heterogenic group. S. uberis strains, including inulin - or beta-glucuronidase-negative isolates, accounted for only about one-thi rd of the collection, and Enterococcus faecalis strains for one-fifth. Othe r species of some importance included (in descending order of isolation fre quency) Aerococcus viridans, Streptococcus pluranimalium, Lactococcus garvi eae, Streptococcus bovis and Streptococcus gallolyticus. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.