Identification of Streptococcus dysgalactiae strains of Lancefield's group C, G and L by polymerase chain reaction

Streptococcus dysgalactiae serogroup C, G and L strains were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotide primers designed according to species-specific parts of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region. The oligonucleotide primers with specificity for the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region allowed a correct identification of all S. dysgalactiae serogroups C, G and L strains investigated. No cross-reactivities could be observed with any of the control strains indicating the usefulness of PCR-technology to identify the serologically heterogeneous species S. dysgalactiae.