The Lyra Direct strep assay was compared to culture for its ability to detect Streptococcus group A and β-hemolytic groups C/G using rapid antigen-negative pharyngeal specimens (n = 161). The Lyra assay correctly detected all β-hemolytic streptococci (group A, n = 19; group C/G, n = 5). In batch mode, the Lyra assay reduced intralaboratory turnaround time by 60% (18.1 h versus 45.0 h) but incre...

In their study of Streptococcus zymogenes, Sherman, Stark and Mauer (1937) stated that on the basis of a physiological study of a few of Dr. Lancefield's cultures, the Lancefield group D hemolytic streptococcus and Streptococcus zymogenes appeared to be the same. There was nothing essentially new in this suggestion: Lancefield and Hare (1935) had previously stated that the group D streptococci ...

The Rapid Strep system (API System S.A., Montalieu-Vercieu, France) was evaluated, without additional tests, in the identification of 209 streptococci. Organisms included 59 beta-hemolytic, 36 group D, 24 Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 90 viridans group streptococci. The Rapid Strep system correctly identified to species level 69.5% of the beta-hemolytic strains, 100% of the group D strains, non...

Intact bacterial membranes have been isolated from protoplasts prepared from Group A streptococci by a cell wall-dissolving enzyme. A membrane fraction with identical chemical and serological properties has been obtained by differential centrifugation of mechanically disrupted streptococci. The membrane is chemically distinct from the cell wall and is composed of 72 per cent protein, 26 per cen...

The rapid hippurate hydrolysis test was evaluated with the conventional test, using 17 group A streptococci, 9 non-enterococcal group D streptococci, 108 enterococcal group D streptococci, and 2 strains of Listeria monocytogenes. There was complete correlation between the rapid and conventional tests with all organisms except enterococcal group D. The rapid hippurate hydrolysis method was more ...

β-Hemolytic group C and group G streptococci (GCS-GGS; Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis) emerged as human pathogens in the late 1970s. We report here the draft genome sequences of four genetically distinct human strains of GCS-GGS isolated between the 1960s and 1980s. Comparative analysis of these genomes may provide a deeper understanding of GCS-GGS genome and virulence evolution.

A previously healthy 13-month-old boy developed group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteremia coinciding with numerous eruptive subcutaneous lesions primarily on his extremities. Skin biopsy revealed infectious panniculitis; gram-positive cocci were present within both fat lobules and septa. Molecular genetic analysis of an isolate from the patient's blood revealed an emm type 4 organism disp...

The latex agglutination kits that are widely used for grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci in clinical laboratories use liquid latex suspensions. The Oxoid Dryspot kit (Oxoid Ltd., Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom) uses predispensed latex dried onto reaction cards or cardboard strips. All streptococci of groups A (85 strains), B (87 strains), C (30 strains), D (38 strains), F (23 strai...