[Use of the Streptotest kit for identification of enterococci isolated from human clinical material].

Enterococci are part of the common microflora of man and are isolated in large numbers also from the environment. Recently their presence in clinical material is increasing and they have become an important causal agent of nosocomial infections. From human clinical material (urine, vaginal smears, wounds) a total of 164 strains of enterococci was isolated. Identification of these isolates by means of the commercial STREPTOtest kit was not very successful (71.3%). The use of several supplementary tests and evaluation by the TNW programme improved successful identification (98.8%). The dominating species in clinical material was E. faecalis (94.5%), the second most frequent isolated species was E. faecium (3%). To achieve better identification of enterococci the authors recommend to supplement the kit by further tests (acidification of arabinose, ribose and pyruvate assimilation).