[Indentification of staphylococci of hospital origin. I. Specific identification of staphylococci].

In 22 biological tests a study was made of the properties of 1117 strains of staphylococci isolated from patients and medical personnel surgical departments. The significance of each of the tests for species identification of staphylococci was assessed on the basis of correlation of its results with the results of study of 3 main signs characteristic of S. aureus: the presence of coagulase, anaerobic mannite fermentation, and of DNA-ase. Besides the ones pointed out the following could be considered as properties characteristic of S. aureus: flocculus-forming factor, fibrinolysin, hyaluronidase, lysozyme, golden pigment, tellurite-reductase, aerobic fermentation of mannite and tregalose. A standard system of species identification of staphylococci was elaborated; on its basis assessment was made of the diagnostic value of a number of simple systems used in practice for determination of staphylococcus species.