Differentiation of Corynebacterium spp., Listeria spp., and related organisms by using fluorogenic substrates

A total of 228 strains of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, Corynebacterium spp., Erysipelothix rhusiopathiae, and Listeria spp. were investigated for their abilities to hydrolyze 60 different fluorogenic 4-methylumbelliferyl-linked and beta-naphthylamide-linked substrates within 6 and 24 h of incubation. The hydrolysis of a group of 16 fluorogenic substrates, and in particular, the glycosidase tests, in most cases showed high separation values at the genus level. When used in combination with other biochemical tests, these tests improved the differentiation of coryneform bacteria and phenotypically similar organisms.