[Staphylococcus hyicus, the cause of exudative epidermitis of swine. Review]

Staphylococcus hyicus, the cause of porcine exudative epidermitis, could be clearly differentiated from S. aureus, S. epidermidis and from other staphylococcal species. This was based on cultural, biochemical and serological properties. A positive coagulase reaction in porcine plasma, the detection of protein A like IgG Fc-receptors and the specific reaction of the cell wall teichoic acid allowed further characterization of this species. S. hyicus additionally produced enzymes with bacteriolytic properties.