Phenotypic characterisation and 16S rRNA sequence analysis of veterinary isolates of Streptococcus pluranimalium

Forty-two isolates of Streptococcus pluranimalium were identified from cattle (n = 38), sheep (n = 2), an alpaca (n = 1) and a pheasant (n = 1) in the United Kingdom. The isolates were confirmed as S. pluranimalium by 16S rRNA sequence analysis but could not be differentiated reliably from Streptococcus acidominimus by phenotypic characterisation using commercial kits routinely used in veterinary laboratories. The alanyl–phenylalanyl–proline arylamidase reaction could be used to differentiate S. pluranimalium (positive) from Aerococcus urinae (negative).