STUDIES ON THE STREPTOCOCCI ("ENTEROCOCCI") OF LANCEFIELD GROUP D

Abstract

Numerous reports have been published recently on infections associated with streptococci of serologic groups other than Lancefield group A.¹ In general, infections with non—group A streptococci are considered rare or atypical in cases of diseases of the respiratory tract, such as scarlet fever and tonsillitis. On the other hand, non—group A streptococci are found frequently with urinary and puerperal infection.² Postmortem cultures may reveal such organisms in cases of terminal infection. In certain of these cases the presence of a particular streptococcus is of questionable significance, the site of the lesion and the lowered resistance of the host having more to do with the infection than the "virulence" of the micro-organism. However, enough observations have accumulated to indicate the importance of non—group A streptococci in human infection and to warrant reexamination of the rather rigid interpretation which the clinician, on the advice of the bacteriologist, has become accustomed