“…This association led to great interest in the identification of group D streptococci, which are common inhabitants of the intestinal flora of humans and animals (Facklam, 1972;Farrow et al, 1984;Osawa et al, 1995). Since the initial antigen-based description of the group D streptococci by Lancefield (1933), Streptococcus equinus and S. bovis have been separated from Streptococcus suis, which may possess this antigen (Bentley et al, 1991; S. bovis strains are delineated into two biotypes according to their ability (biotype I) or inability (biotype II) to ferment mannitol.…”