Abstract
In order to correctly identify a new biovar ofStaphylococcus aureus subsp.aureus, (NBSA) a simple, rapid, and reliable enzymatic assay was developed. The assay was based on the detection of the production of three enzymes: α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase and β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase. Of a total of 46 isolates ofStaphylococcus aureus subsp.aureus from clinical specimens, the new assay correctly identified 19 as NBSA and 27 as typicalStaphylococcus aureus subsp.aureus. Among the 19 NBSA isolates, 15 (79%) showed a clear biochemical profile while only four isolates (21%) showed a less well-defined enzymatic combination, due to a phenotypic alteration caused by subculturing. Since this assay is both simple to perform and inexpensive, it is potentially applicable in the laboratory.
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Fontana, C., Laratta, E., Marino, D. et al. Simple enzymatic method for rapid identification of aStaphylococcus aureus subspeciesaureus biovar. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 16, 689–692 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708562
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708562