Identification of Enterococcus species isolated from human infections by a conventional test scheme

Streptococci (206 cultures) previously identified as enterococci were retrieved from storage and reidentified by using tests designed to identify species of the genus Enterococcus. Of these 188, 91% were correctly identified as Enterococcus species. Of the remaining strains, nine (4%) were unidentified and six (3%) and 3 (1.5%) were identified as Leuconostoc sp. and Lactococcus sp., respectively. Two new Enterococcus species were discovered: E. raffinosus and E. solitarius. DNA-DNA hybridizations were performed on selected strains to assure correct identification. Cultures representing 10 of the 12 Enterococcus species were among the 188 strains identified. An identification system based on the grouping of key reactions of 20 phenotypic characteristics of Enterococcus species is described.