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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, October 1999, p. 4425-4430, Vol. 65, No. 10
0099-2240/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Identification of Enterococcus spp. with a Biochemical Key

Albert Manero* and Anicet R. Blanch

Departament de Microbiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Received 10 February 1999/Accepted 10 July 1999


    ABSTRACT
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References

A six-step biochemical key is presented for the identification of all recognized Enterococcus spp. The key consists of 12 tests, but no more than 6 are needed for the most complicated identification. The reliability of the key has been evaluated with collection type strains and clinical and environmental isolates. This key has fewer tests than those reported in previous studies. There is no commercial kit that includes the whole set of tests. However, some of the tests are included in enzyme activity-based kits that could be used with the proposed key. The key is designed for use in routine applications, especially in environmental and clinical studies with a high number of isolates.


    INTRODUCTION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Enterococci, formerly classified with fecal streptococci, have been recognized to be of fecal origin since the beginning of this century. The usual ecological niche for Enterococcus species is the intestines of humans and other animals. However, enterococci are ubiquitous and can be found free-living in soil, on plants, or in dairy products (20, 29, 35). Phenotypic characterization of this genus has been discussed (35). It is generally agreed that the genus Enterococcus comprises gram-positive cocci that are catalase negative, usually facultative, anaerobic bacteria that grow in 6.5% NaCl, 40% bile salts, and 0.1% methylene blue milk and at pH 9.6. They grow at 10 and 45°C and can resist 30 min at 60°C (20, 52, 53). There is clear evidence of the genotypic identity of Enterococcus, based on molecular studies (26, 36, 53). Enterococci have also been related to human diseases (20, 39, 42), becoming firmly established as major nosocomial pathogens (29, 32, 42). The isolation of strains resistant to many antibiotic therapies has become an important public health concern (31, 39, 43). In addition, Enterococcus and Streptococcus have been proposed as indicators of fecal contamination in water because of their high abundance in feces and their long survival in the environment. Although the ratio of fecal coliforms to fecal streptococci has been ruled out as an indicator (48), the identification of species associated with a given environment or host might provide additional information about the origin of isolates and the source of fecal contamination (18, 35).

The ability of enterococci to grow under particular conditions is widely used in their selective isolation. This characteristic allows the detection and enumeration of enterococci with a selective medium (M-enterococcus agar or KF streptococcus agar, for instance) and by using bile-esculin-azide agar as a further test for confirmation (2a, 35). Although this approach can distinguish Enterococcus spp. from other bacterial species, some isolates may be misidentified. The use of these media is a compromise between selectivity and productivity (35). Though the aim of this approach was to isolate enterococcal species, it is unsuitable for the detection of certain enterococcal species because they do not grow on these media (35). In addition, other bacterial species such as Streptococcus bovis are able to grow on the media, presenting results similar to those of Enterococcus spp. In recent years, several authors have described molecular methods for the detection of Enterococcus spp., based mainly on the use of labeled oligonucleotide probes (4, 5, 40). However, the conventional methods for routine species identification are still based on physiological characteristics (3, 34, 57).

The biochemical tests needed for the identification and determination of Enterococcus spp. have been evaluated in previous studies which proposed tables or keys (21, 24, 34, 53). However, such approaches require a large number of tests or are complicated to use, which makes them too difficult for routine application. In addition, new species of Enterococcus which are not included in these identification schemes have been described (13, 16, 19, 38, 46, 49). At present, the genus includes 19 species (16, 35). In this study, a six-step key has been defined for the identification of all known Enterococcus spp. It is based on biochemical data from the analysis of over 1,600 isolates included in different biochemical and taxonomic studies and reviews of enterococci. The reliability of the key has been assessed with collection type strains and clinical and environmental isolates.


    MATERIALS AND METHODS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Bacterial strains and growth conditions. The type strains used in this study are shown in Table 1. A total of 3 clinical isolates and 79 environmental isolates (8 from pig feces, 3 from pig manure, 11 from pig feed, 16 from hospital sewage, 29 from sewage from water treatment plants, 5 from streams, and 7 from crops fertilized with or without pig manure) recently isolated on M-Enterococcus agar (Difco) and on bile-esculin agar (Difco) were used. Sixteen type strains and the clinical and environmental isolates were grown aerobically overnight at 37°C on brain heart infusion agar (BHIA; Difco). Enterococcus columbae and E. cecorum type strains were grown on BHIA under a CO2-enriched atmosphere, and the E. solitarius type strain was grown on BHIA under microaerobic or anaerobic conditions (Anaerocult P; Merck) as described elsewhere (17, 19, 22). Strains were stored in brain heart infusion broth (Difco) with 20% glycerol at -70°C.

                              
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  		TABLE 1.   Collection type strains used in this study

Source of data. The data which form the basis for the key design were taken from reviews and biochemical and taxonomic studies on Enterococcus spp. or Streptococcus spp. (7, 8, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23-26, 29, 34, 44, 45, 47, 53, 58). First description or taxonomic revision manuscripts for several species were also consulted (6, 10-13, 16, 17, 19, 27, 38, 41, 46, 49, 52). The number of isolates included in these studies was over 1,600.

Unification of data. Three main difficulties were encountered in attempting to collate data: no data for some species, discrepancies on a particular test for certain species, and different levels of probability for determination of the value of a test. The first two situations are illustrated in Table 2. Those tests were not used for the design of the key. The third case was solved by determining the value of a test with the raw data from the reviews and biochemical and taxonomic studies. As Table 2 shows, some of the data sources remained in disagreement and there were no consistent data to reduce the discrepancies. As the authors of the reference studies used different levels of probability for determining the result of a test (as positive, negative, variable, etc.), six possible categories were established to score the results of every test: 90% or more of the strains and isolates are positive, 75 to 89% are positive, 26 to 74% are positive, 11 to 25% are positive, 10% or less are positive, and there are absolute discrepancies among the reference studies.

                              
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  		TABLE 2.   Consensus matrix of tests for identification of Enterococcus spp.a

Selection of tests. Power of discrimination and ease of application were the initial criteria for the selection of tests (1, 2). They were also selected to provide high discrimination among Enterococcus spp., based on a high probability of a positive or negative result. Consensus among the different authors about test results was another criterion for selection. The matrix of criteria obtained was used to select the tests that constitute the identification key. In order to reduce the total number of tests required, an additional consideration for selection of a test was whether or not it could be used at different levels in the key. The key was set up to provide the best discernment with the lowest number of tests, following the idealized method described by Rypka et al. (51).

Evaluation of the key. The tests included in the key were performed with the type strains of Enterococcus spp. listed in Table 1. Additionally, the key was also evaluated with the clinical and environmental isolates. Biochemical tests were performed according to standard methods (37, 55). Carbohydrate fermentation tests were performed with the basal medium phenol red broth (ADSA, Barcelona, Spain). L-Arabinose, ribose, sorbose, D-raffinose, mannitol, methyl-alpha -D-glucopyranoside, and sucrose were added at 1% concentrations to phenol red broth for the corresponding tests (37). The broth was sterilized by autoclaving, and the pH was adjusted to 7.4 to 7.5 with sterile 10 N NaOH. The inoculated carbohydrate broths were incubated for 24 h at 37°C. A result was considered positive when the broth turned yellow. Pyrrolidonyl aminopeptidase and alpha -galactosidase activities were evaluated with the diagnostic kit from Rosco Diagnostica (Taastrup, Denmark). Tests were performed according to the procedure indicated by the manufacturer. Incubation was performed at 37°C for 4 h. The appearance of a red or yellow color, respectively, indicated a positive result. The Møller decarboxylase base medium (ADSA) was used to measure the enzymatic decarboxylation of the arginine, according to standard methods (37). This test was also performed at 37°C for 24 h. The alkaline phosphatase test was performed according to the method of MacFaddin, without the thermic shock (37). The production of yellow pigment was determined by growing the strains on BHIA. This test was considered positive when the strain was a strong yellow color.


    RESULTS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Ninety-four tests were initially considered. A matrix of results was obtained based on seventy-six tests that fulfilled the criteria indicated above (Table 2). Twelve tests from this matrix were selected for the design of the identification key: L-arabinose, ribose, sorbose, D-raffinose, mannitol, methyl-alpha -D-glucopyranoside, sucrose, pyrrolidonyl aminopeptidase, arginine dihydrolase, alpha -galactosidase, alkaline phosphatase, and yellow pigment production. The order and level for the different tests are presented in Fig. 1. Two main criteria were followed for the design of the key. First, the thresholds of differentiation (percentages of a positive result) are higher than 90% for a positive result and lower than 10% for a negative one. Second, those tests that allow the separation of an equal number of species in each branch are used, providing the most efficient way of discrimination (51). Almost every branch of the key presents a threshold of identification of 100%. Two species (E. hirae and E. durans) presented lower identification thresholds (91.5 and 97%, respectively). However, they were still above the value used to determine a positive result (>90%). Only E. avium presented a lower threshold of identification (87%).


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  		FIG. 1.   Identification key for Enterococcus spp. All species have a threshold of 100% except for E. hirae, E. durans, and E. avium, which present a threshold of 91.5, 97, and 87%, respectively. PYRase, pyrrolidonyl aminopeptidase.

The results obtained when the key was applied to the type strains were consistent. Carbohydrate tests produced a yellow color for a positive result and a red or red-orange color for a negative result. However, the L-arabinose test for E. malodoratus, E. pseudoavium, E. saccharolyticus, and E. sulfureus presented a weak reaction, giving an orange-yellow color. The microaerophilic species E. solitarius needed long incubation times (24 to 72 h) for the mannitol test. No difference in results was obtained for the arginine dihydrolase test when performed with commercial kits or by standard methods.

All of the clinical and environmental isolates were identified at the species level with the biochemical key. Only four environmental isolates (one from pig feed, two from hospital sewage and one from sewage from water treatment plants) showed unexpected results for some of the 12 tests included on the key. However, these results were not necessary for their species identification.


    DISCUSSION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References

This study provides a scheme for the rapid identification of clinical and environmental species of Enterococcus. The key is based on 12 biochemical tests. The threshold of identification is over 99%, with some exceptions (87, 91.5, and 97% for E. avium, E. hirae, and E. durans, respectively). The use of sucrose fermentation for the discernment of E. avium from E. raffinosus decreased the threshold of identification in the key. Although other authors (12, 25, 34) claim that these two species can be differentiated on the basis of their ability to ferment raffinose, our results do not support this claim. The selection of sucrose fermentation for the differentiation of these species avoids the discrepancies detected for the raffinose fermentation, though the threshold of identification decreased. Consequently, the key provides for the differentiation of all 19 recognized species of the genus Enterococcus with few tests. The atypical asaccharolytic variant strains of E. faecalis (24) were not considered in this study. Therefore, they might be misidentified when this key is used. Previous tables, keys, and schemes proposed by other authors do not include all the species described to date and are based on greater numbers of tests (21, 24, 34, 53). However, it is necessary to check that an isolate belongs to the genus Enterococcus before this key is used. As previously explained, there is a certain amount of agreement on the phenotypic characters of this genus. Any isolate suspected of being an Enterococcus spp. is a gram-positive coccus, anaerobically facultative and catalase negative. It grows in 6.5% NaCl, 40% bile salts, and 0.1% methylene blue milk and at pH 9.6. It grows at 10 and 45°C and resists 30 min at 60°C (20, 52-54). These criteria were described in order to differentiate the Enterococcus spp. from Streptococcus spp. Both genera have been clearly distinguished by DNA-DNA and DNA-rRNA hybridization (30, 33, 52) and 16S RNA sequencing (36). The genus named Enterococcus by Thiercelin and Jouhaud in 1903 (56) was reviewed by Schleifer and Kilpper-Bälz in 1984 with bacteria previously described as S. faecalis and S. faecium (52). Later, other streptococci having the characteristics of the enterococcus group were transferred to the genus Enterococcus. In addition, new species of this genus have been described (E. cecorum, E. columbae, E. dispar, E. flavescens, E. pseudoavium, E. raffinosus, E. sulfureus, E. solitarius, and E. asini), mainly on the basis of 16S rRNA comparative sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization (12, 13, 17, 19, 38, 46). However, some of these species do not have all the phenotypic characteristics of the genus Enterococcus defined above. Therefore, there is no final phenotypic determination that provides a differentiation of the genus Enterococcus from other gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci (21). This key cannot avoid misidentification at the genus level because it has been developed for species identification. However, the easy use of this key avoids the difficult consultation of several taxonomic reviews of Enterococcus that do not always lead to unanimous species identification. Some of the tests could be performed with commercial kits (for instance, API 20 Strep or API 50CH), which are widely used (7, 9, 28, 34, 50). It has been observed by other authors that certain tests do not present comparable results when performed according to classical standard methods (28, 34). However, the arginine dihydrolase test gave similar results when performed by standard methods and with a commercial kit. On the other hand, no commercial kit includes the whole set of tests selected in this study for Enterococcus sp. identification. It would be ideal if a commercial kit that included all the tests selected in this study was available. It should be applicable to a wide range of studies, such as clinical and environmental analyses. The key provided a consistent identification of the type strains and the clinical and environmental isolates used in this study. The proposed key is a practical, reliable, and very easy system for rapid biochemical identification in routine applications where a high number of isolates are normally involved.


    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by the European Project (FAIR5-CT97-3709). A.M. had a fellowship from the Ministerio de Educacion y Cultura of the Spanish Government (AP97 44007540).


    FOOTNOTES

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Departament de Microbiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal 645, E-08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Phone: 34 93 4021489. Fax: 34 93 4110592. E-mail: amanero{at}porthos.bio.ub.es.


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Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References

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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, October 1999, p. 4425-4430, Vol. 65, No. 10
0099-2240/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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