Rapid test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci

P H Seidl, K H Schleifer
1978 Applied and Environmental Microbiology  
A simple test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci is described, which is based on the quite different cell wall peptidoglycan structures of these two genera. Antisera to (pentaglycyl-e-amino-n-hexanoic acid)2o-albumin agglutinated without exception all staphylococci and gave no positive reaction with micrococci or other bacterial cells. To obtain a good reaction, it was necessary to extract the cells with hot trichloroacetic acid for 30 min. Antisera to
more » ... -amino-n-hexanoic acid)22-albumin reacted strongly with micrococci containing oligo-L-alanine bridges in their peptidoglycan, but did not agglutinate staphylococci or other bacteria lacking alanine interpeptide bridges.
doi:10.1128/aem.35.3.479-482.1978 fatcat:m2gt5o2xqneivod3iuqqbmq4ty