Hyaluronidase production in Streptococcus milleri in relation to infection.

Abstract

SUMMARY One hundred and seven (41%) of 262 isolates of Streptococcus milleri, from human sources, produced hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase production was commoner in ,B haemolytic isolates 32 of 39 (82%), many ofwhich were of Lancefield group F. But hyaluronidase was also found in ac and non-haemolytic isolates, and in groups A, C, G, and non-groupable isolates. There was a strong association between hyaluronidase production and isolation from known internal abscesses (48/58, 83%) compared with isolates from the normal flora of uninfected sites (24/97, 25%). Isolates from 15 patients with endocarditis were uniformly negative, although 13 of 25 (52%) isolates from dental plaque produced the enzyme.Production of hyaluronidase may therefore be an important determinant in the pathogenicity of infection by S milleri and could be helpful in predicting the likelihood of deep purulent lesions in isolates from blood culture.The species name Streptococcus milleri was coined by Guthof.' Colman and Williams argued for inclusion in the taxon of strains of differing Lancefield antigenthat is, whether they had Lancefield group antigen A, or C, or F, or G, or none; and whether they were a-, ,B-, or non-haemolytic.2 Parker and Ball showed that when the taxonomic criteria of Colman and Williams were applied to streptococci (and a few aerococci) from deep lesions in man, then S milleri was strongly associated with clinically purulent lesions.3 In further studies of a selection of some 18 strains thus classified as S milleri (Streptococcus Reference Laboratory, Colindale, London) and of varying Lancefield and haemolytic states, it was found that all strains lacked streptolysins 0 and S and anti-DNase B, but in a few cases possessed hyaluronidase. A possible correlation was noted between hyaluronidase production and stated presence of pus in the patient from which the strain was isolated (Unsworth, unpublished data). Therefore it was decided to study hyaluronidase production in a large number of isolates of S milleri and to examine the relation of this enzyme to clinical data on the strains. Material and methodsOne hundred and sixty five isolates from infected patients and routine clinical laboratory samples were Accepted for publication 12 December 1988 collected by Dr MT Parker, Streptococcus Reference Laboratory, Colindale, London, from isolates submitted from various hospitals and Public Health Laboratory Service laboratories in Britain, and a few isolates from overseas. There were also 13 isolates from normal faeces4 and 13 from dental plaque isolated by Dr JM Hardie.The 191 isolates, including faecal and dental plaque isolates, were stored at -20°C in blood broth containing 16% glycerol. Some strains were subcultured repeatedly from glycerol blood broth after storage at -20°C for periods ofvarious months, and then reused for hyaluronidase production. Between 1974 and 1976 61 isolates were identified, as described by Parker and

A polymicrobial perspective of pulmonary infections exposes an enigmatic pathogen in cystic fibrosis patients

“…SMG strains can produce hyaluronidase, DNase, ribonuclease, chondroitin sulfatase, gelatinase, and collagenase, all enzymes that may contribute to tissue disruption and abscess formation (45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50). It is worthwhile to consider that the mechanisms of pathogenicity might rely on the polymicrobial context of CF airways.…”

Role of hyaluronidase in Streptococcus intermedius biofilm

“…Surface-bound and cell-free enzymes might influence nutrient availability, or promote detachment of cells from the biofilm. Several studies have shown the presence of hyaluronidase at sites of infection (Hashioka et al, 1994;Takao et al, 1997;Unsworth, 1989). However, little is known about the specific role of HA and bacterial hyaluronidase in biofilm formation and dispersal.…”

Distribution, Genetic Diversity, and Variable Expression of the Gene Encoding Hyaluronate Lyase within theStreptococcus suisPopulation

“…Furthermore, signaturetagged mutagenesis studies have provided evidence that hyaluronidase is important in pneumococcal pneumonia, although it apparently has little role in septicemia (30). Expression of hyaluronidase in the group of streptococci previously known as "Streptococcus milleri" has also been strongly associated with isolates obtained from internal abscesses rather than those obtained as normal flora from uninfected sites (39).…”