Preliminary Evaluation of a Rapid Colorimetric Method for the Presumptive Identification of Group A Streptococci and Enterococci

A rapid colorimetric method for the presumptive identification of group A streptococci and enterococci based upon pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase activity is described. Of 76 group A streptococcal isolates from primary plates, 83 gave positive reactions, and the remaining 7 were positive on retesting in pure culture. Of the 31 enterococcal isolates tested, all gave positive reactions. Despite occasional positive reactions with staphylococci and Klebsiella pneumoniae, the test could be useful and cost-effective in the clinical laboratory.