Comparative studies of some biochemical properties of human and bovine Streptococcus agalactiae strains

Both, bovine and human strains of Str. agalactiae grew well in sterile cow-milk, the majority of bovine strains curdled the milk. The majority of human strains grew well in human urine. Bovine strains, isolated from the milk of cows from large socially-owned farms, had biochemical properties characteristical for bovine strains. Bovine strains, isolated from the milk of cows of private raisers and human strains, isolated from the raisers of the cows, deviated in their characteristical biochemical properties. It seems, that with these strains it came to reciprocal influences. This confirms our previous presumption, that infection due to Str. agalactiae in humans and cows may take a reciprocal course, if the circumstances are adequate. The tracing of infection sources is possible only by serotyping.