New serologically distinguishable type of coagulase-positive staphylococcus of canine origin.

Of 150 coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates from infections in dogs, 9 isolates with biochemical properties of human biotype were characteristically agglutinated by absorbed antiserum to staphylococcal strain 17, while only 110 of 141 isolates with biochemical properties of staphylococci of canine origin were agglutinated by absorbed antiserum to strain 61218. However, upon development of a new agglutinating serum, absorbed antiserum to strain 887, all but one of the remaining 31 isolates could be classified as being of canine biotype. Absorbed antiserum 887 should therefore aid in the comprehensive identification of staphylococci of canine origin in dogs, as well as in epidemiological studies of the interchange of staphylococci between canine pets and people.