Characterization of 'faecal streptococci' as indicators of faecal pollution and distribution in the environment

The recent revision of the taxonomy of 'faecal streptococci' prompted us to verify the importance of identifying the species of this group of cocci. D uring a study carried out to assess the hygienic quality of environmental s amples from a variety of sources, we isolated 198 strains named faecal stre ptococci on the basis of conventional international tests (EVA broth multip le tube test) used for Public Health purposes. The predominant species were Enterococcus faecalis (39%) and Ent. faecium (29%), followed by Ent. duran s/hirae, Ent. casseliflavus/gallinarum, Ent. raffinosus, with a different p revalence of the species depending on the source. Eighty-four per cent of i solates were true faecal species. Only one isolate was identified as belong ing to the Streptococcus genus. The authors stress the opportunity to ident ify the species. This may help to clarify the ecological and epidemiologica l characteristics of intestinal enterococci and streptococci in the environ ment, in drinking and recreational waters and their meaning as indicators o f faecal pollution. All isolates were tested for their susceptibility to so me antimicrobial agents widely used in medical therapy and the pattern was compared with the pattern of isolates from clinical specimens.