Staphylococcus hyicus (Sompolinsky 1953) comb. nov. and Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. chromogenes subsp. nov.

Abstract

Although the name Staphylococcus hyicus has appeared in the literature, it has never been validly published. Supportive evidence is given for the transfer of Micrococcus hyicus Sompolinsky to the genus Staphylococcus, and the name Staphylococcus hyicus (Sompolinsky) comb. nov. is proposed. A description of this organism is given on the basis of a taxonomic analysis of 168 strains of this species isolated from swine with infectious epidermitis, from the skin and nares of healthy pigs and poultry, and from cows with mastitis. One hundred thirty-two strains which produced unpigmented colonies and a heat-stable nuclease were placed in the type subspecies S. hyicus subsp. hyicus subsp. nov. Thirty-six pigmented strains were placed in the subspecies S. hyicus subsp. chromogenes subsp. nov. Strain NCTC 10350 (= CCM 2368 = ATCC 11249 = D. Sompolinsky no. 1) is here designated the type strain of S. hyicus and of S. hyicus subsp. hyicus, and strain NCTC 10530 (= A. C. Baird Parker CBCC 1462) is designated the type strain of S. hyicus subsp. chromogenes. A scheme for the differentiation of S. hyicus from certain other Staphylococcus species is included.