Rapid and reliable identification of Streptococcus anginosus group isolates to the species level by real-time PCR and melting curve analysis

A real-time PCR assay is described for rapid and accurate identification of the Streptococcus anginosus group members. Based on melting curve analysis, the S. anginosus species isolates could be further subdivided into two subgroups, each associated with different clinically relevant ribotypes of S. anginosus.