Utilization of lactose and presence of the phospho-B-galactosidase (lacG) gene in Lactococcus garvieae isolates from different sources
Investigation article published in International Microbiology
December 31st, 2010
This study evaluates the utilization of lactose (Lac) and the presence of the phospho-B-galactosidase (lacG) gene as markers for distinguishing between fish (Lac-/lacG-) and dairy isolates (Lac+/lacG+) of Lactococcus garvieae, using a panel of L. garvieae isolates from different sources. None of the fish isolates produced acid from lactose (Lac-), however Lac-/lacG- isolates were observed in pigs, cows, birds and humans. Most of the dairy isolates (77.8%) were Lac+/lacG+, but some dairy isolates did not produce acid from this sugar. Data in the present study show that the ability to metabolize lactose and the presence of the lacG gene are heterogeneously scattered among L. garvieae isolates of different sources. Therefore, the use of these criteria as markers to differentiate between L. garvieae isolates of dairy and fish origin should be considered with caution
Aguado-Urda M., Cutuli MT., Blanco MM., Aspiroz C., Tejedor JL., Fernandez-Garayzabal JF. and Gibello A.
 | Servicio de Identificación y Caracterización Microbiana (ICM). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Unidad de Microbiología. Hospital Royo Villanova, Zaragoza. | |
