[Specificity against group A, C, and G streptococci of the reverse CAMP test for identifying Clostridium perfringens]

We studied "reverse CAMP" test specificity for the identification of Clostridium perfringens, and the probable existence of cross-reactions with groups A, C and G streptococci. Ninety eight Clostridium strains were tested with ten S. agalactiae, ten S. pyogenes, two group C streptococci and one group G. All the strains of S. agalactiae yielded a positive "reverse CAMP" reaction when it was performed with C. perfringens strains. Cross-reactions were not detected when C. perfringens were tested with groups A, C or G streptococci. The "reverse CAMP" test proved to be specific for all the C. perfringens strains used.