Genomic investigation of Lactococcus formosensis , Lactococcus garvieae , and Lactococcus petauri reveals differences in species distribution by human and animal sources.

was more commonly detected in cow mastitis. Fifteen genes displayed a differential distribution among the three bacteria from certain sources, indicating a genetic basis for the observed host preference. This work indicates the importance of differentiating the three bacteria in diagnostic laboratories for surveillance and outbreak investigation purposes.