Streptococcus canis sp. nov.: A Species of Group G Streptococci from Animals

Abstract

β-Hemolytic group G streptococci from cows with mastitis and from dogs with different pathological conditions were characterized and named Streptococcus canis sp. nov. These animal group G strains were differentiated from Streptococcus dysgalactiae (group G strains of human origin, as well as group L strains and certain animal and human group C strains) by simple physiological and biochemical tests. Deoxyribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization showed that the S. canis strains differed from S. dysgalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus equi, and Streptococcus salivarius. These organisms contain a rare cell wall peptidoglycan type, namely, Lys-Thr-Gly. The specific epithet of S. canis, which has been in use for many years in veterinary textbooks to designate group G strains isolated from dogs, was chosen for this proposed new species because it comprises animal but not human group G streptococci. The type strain is strain STR-T1 (= DSM 20715).