Though the three members of the SMG are phenotypically diverse, one common trait they share is the mechanism of producing the metabolite diacetyl, which contributes to generating a signature caramel odor.

[3][4] Researchers identified the isolates to species that led to 118 cases of infection due to SMG using 16S rRNA gene sequence and biochemical tests.

This study, done in 2002 used identification of clinical isolates recovered and stored at the Microbiology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston during 1989–1999.

However, some additional approaches to isolate this strain include analyzing blood agar plates, real-time PCR, and mass spectrometry.

[7][8] Data from the study support observations that members of the SMG have a tendency to cause abscesses, however they do not cause them with equal frequency.