Exploration of methods for identification of Enterococcus

  Objective  To select a rapid and accurate method to identify Enterococcus at genus level.

  Methods  By using biochemical identification, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, rpoA gene sequencing, DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI), 12 Enterococcus strains were identified at genus level., and the results were compared.

  Results  By DDH and ANI identifications, 12 Enterococcus strains isolated from stool samples of wild blue sheep in plateau area were classified as Enterococcus faecium (5 strains), Enterococcus heisei (4 strains), Enterococcus montmund (1 strain), Enterococcus quail (1 strain) and suspected new Enterococcus variant (1 strain). rpoA gene sequencing had highly consistent results with DDH/ANI, but biochemical identification, 16S rRNA gene sequencing had no fully consistent results with DDH/ANI.

  Conclusion  rpoA gene sequencing can be used to identify Enterococcus rapidly and accurately.