Identification of Enterococci

To the Editor.— The report by Neefe et al onStreptococcus mutansendocarditis (230:1298-1299,1974) refers to two media employed for the differentiation of enterococci,S faecalisbroth and Enterococcosel broth, and indicates that some strains ofS mutanscan also grow in these media. In addition to these two broths, several other media are available for the differentiation of group D streptococci or enterococci. As indicated in the Table, each of these media is unique in the amount of either bile or esculinpresent. In addition, all of the media except Bile Esculin Agar also contain sodium azide. Since these three ingredients are the major selective and differential components of the media, it is important to keep these differences in mind when using these media in any identification scheme. In a much larger survey than that of Neefe et al, Facklam and his colleagues1have evaluated various alternative biochemical