A Taxonomic Study of Streptococcus mitis, S. oralis, and S. sanguis

The type strain of Streptococcus mitis, S. oralis and S. sanguis as well as clinical isolates belonging to these three species could be clearly separated from each other by DNA-DNA hybridization studies, cell wall and DNA base composition and certain physiological tests. Hitherto applied conventional tests or the API 20 Strep rapid identification system are not sufficient for an unequivocal identification of the three species. However, they can be distinguished on the basis of cell wall data and G+C content.