Classification of staphylococci based on chemical and biochemical properties

In the present work the chemical cell wall composition and some other biochemical characteristics were studied in staphylococci with the intention of utilizing the data obtained in their classification. According to the cell wall peptidoglycans and teichoic acids, the 130 strains of staphylococci studied are divided into 10 major groups. This division of staphylococci into groups is in good agreement with their present classification only in some cases. All of the 47 Staphylococcus aureus strains contain a cell wall peptidoglycan of the l-Lys-Gly_5-6 type and ribitol teichoic acid. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are more heterogeneous and are divided according to their cell wall composition into 9 major groups. 21 strains of them are classified as S. epidermidis sensu stricto. They form a natural group and are distinguished by the occurrence of the l-Lys-Gly_4-5, l-Ser_0.5-1.8 peptidoglycan type, glycerol teichoic acid and an l-lactate dehydrogenase which is activated by fructose-1,6-diphosphate. 8 strains with peptidoglycan of the l-Lys-Gly_4-5, l-Ser_0.5-1.8 type and ribitol teichoic acid are labeled as S. saprophyticus. The remaining groups have not been given species names and require further extensive comparative study.