Abstract

Streptococcus bovis, a conspicuous streptococcus of cow dung and also occurring in human faeces, has proved difficult to classify. Biochemically it is a well-defined species (Orla Jensen), and although it has some of the characteristics of Lancefield's Group D streptococci, its serological identity has long been obscure because of its failure to yield a group serum. While many strains of Str. bovis reacted with Group D sera, a not inconsiderable proportion gave negative or equivocal results1,2,3, and until group sera for Str. bovis could be prepared its serological placing was necessarily left in abeyance.

References

1. Mattick, A. T. R., and Shattock, P. M. F., Mon. Bull. Emerg. Pub. Hlth. Lab. Serv., 2, 73 (1943).
2. Shattock, P. M. F., and Mattick, A. T. R., J. Hyg., Camb., 43, 173 (1943).
3. Sherman, J. M., J. Bact., 35, 81 (1938).