Evaluation of the Minitek Gram-Positive Set for identification of streptococci isolated from bovine mammary glands.

A total of 127 isolates were used to evaluate the Minitek Gram-Positive Set for identification of streptococci cultured from bovine mammary glands. The overall accuracy of the Minitek Gram-Positive Set was 34.6%. Of 12 Streptococcus agalactiae strains, 4 (33.3%) were correctly identified. Of 43 Streptococcus dysgalactiae strains, 32 (74.4%) were identified correctly. Of 44 Streptococcus uberis strains, 42 (95.5%) were identified as Enterococcus spp. Poor performance was attributed to the limited number of veterinary strains in the data base. Incorporation of large numbers of veterinary isolates into the data base is needed for further development of this system.