The Fermentation of Sorbitol and Trehalose by Haemolytic Streptococci from Various Sources

Abstract

Hemolytic streptococci of human and animal origin were tested for ability to produce acid in dextrose broth and to utilize Na hippurate and various carbo-hydrates. Of 328 strains of human origin, all fermented trehalose but not sorbitol; in both acid production and hydrolysis of Na hippurate, 49 of them resembled strains of bovine origin. Of 18 strains of animal origin, 9 fermented sorbitol but not trehalose; 3 additional strain resembled those of bovine origin by high acid production and hydrolysis of Na hippurate; 6 strains not distinguished from those of human origin included 4 from milk of cows incriminated in epidemics of septic sore throat.