Species-specific PCR was based on the amplification of a
968 bp intragenic fragment within the lacZ gene sequence of
S. thermophilus. All of the isolates yielded this expected size of
amplicons. Results of the species-specific PCR were also verified by
sequencing the 16S rRNA gene of one representative isolate
(cTY17). 16S rRNA gene sequence (1460 bp) was determined and
deposited to Gene Bank with the accession number of EU694138.
BLAST analysis indicated 98% homology to S. thermophilus LMD-9, S.
thermophilus LMG 18311, and to S. thermophilus CNRZ1066.