An approach to the classification of lactobacilli using computer-aided numerical analysis

Abstract

An electronic computer was used to analyze the data obtained for 82 strains of streptococci, lactobacilli, and propionibacteria. The lactobacilli were divided into three major taxonomic groups which correspond to the subgenera Thermobacterium, Streptobacterium, and Betabacterium described by Orla-Jensen (14). Three clusters observed among the streptococcal strains also correlate with Sherman's (19) classification of pyogenic, fecal, and lactic groups of streptococci. The results are in agreement with present classifications. No justification for including the genus Lactobacillus in the same family as genus Propionibacterium was found.