Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: 619-625

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200776040619

Prevalence and Characteristics of Streptococcus canis Strains Isolated from Dogs and Cats

P. Lysková, M. Vydržalová, D. Královcová, J. Mazurová

Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic

Received February 12, 2007
Accepted October 2, 2007

To determine the prevalence of Streptococcus canis in dogs and cats, a total of 926 swabs were examined bacteriologically in the period from 2003 to 2005. Eighty-six isolates obtained from various anatomical locations were further characterized for their phenotypic properties. The most frequently isolated biotype produced phosphatase, leucine amidopeptidase, arginine dihydrolase, alpha-D- and beta-D-galactosidase and fermented lactose and ribose. Additional identification by species-specific amplification of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region was consistent with S. canis. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin G and ampicillin. The least effective antimicrobial agent was found to be tetracycline (only 33.8% of susceptible strains).