Classification of fecal streptococci isolated from river water

Abstract

The authors classified the streptococci isolated from river water. Three hundred ninety strains of cocci were isolated from river water and classified. Of them, 362 strains (93%) proved to be enterococci derived from human and cattle feces. Only 28 strains, 7% of the isolates, were identified as S. faecalis subsp. liquefaciens which can be thought to be derived from insects. The results indicate that the classification of fecal streptococci is a reliable and useful indicator of water pollution.