Hydrolytic enzymes of anaerobic bacteria isolated from human infections

Abstract

Thirty-three strains of anaerobic bacteria isolated from human clinical specimens were examined for the presence of heparinase, hyaluronidase, chondroitin sulfatase, gelatinase, collagenase, fibrinolysin, lecithinase, and lipase activities. Pronounced heparinase activity was limited to species of the genus Bacteroides. A number of species of the genera Bacteroides and Clostridium produced hyaluronidase and chondroitin sulfatase. Gelatinase, collagenase, and fibrinolysin activities were encountered in isolates of the genera Bacteroides, Clostridium, and Peptostreptococcus. All strains capable of degrading collagen also hydrolyzed other protein substrates. Lipolytic activity was minimal among these anaerobic bacteria. No specific hydrolytic activity was consistently associated with the isolates.

Degradation of basement membrane collagen by proteases from some anaerobic oral microorganisms

“…Hydrolytic enzymes are important virulence determinants of anaerobic bacteria (25). They may act directly on host cells, extracellular matrix components or soluble extracellular substances connected to the host response.…”

Gram-positive anaerobic cocci – commensals and opportunistic pathogens

“…It has been isolated from some cases of skin infection, in association with aerobic bacteria, such as S. aureus (Higaki et al, 2000). It has also been reported to be isolated from a range of acute and chronic wounds (Sanderson et al, 1979;Bowler & Davies, 1999b) including dermal ulcers (Alper et al, 1983), leg ulcers (Bowler & Davies, 1999a), post-thoractomy sternal wound (Brook, 1989b), chronic venous leg ulcers (Gilchrist & Reed, 1989;Hansson et al, 1995;Brook & Frazier, 1998), nonpuerperal breast infection (Edmiston et al, 1990), diabetic foot ulcers (Johnson et al, 1995), burn wound infections (Mousa, 1997), surgical wounds (Steffen & Hentges, 1981) and diabetic foot infections (Wheat et al, 1986).…”

Production of hydrolytic enzymes by oral isolates of Eikenella corrodens

“…Collagenase actwlty was exammed by the method of Krepel et al [6] using bovine type I collagen added to BM1 medium Caselnase actwlty, from isolates grown m BM1 medium, was measured by the azocasein digestion method of Mdlet [7] Phosphohpase actwity was detected using egg yolk emulsion [8] added to BM2 medmm at a concentration of 5% v/v Blood agar base (Oxotd CM271) with either defibrlnated horse or sheep blood (5% v/v) was used to screen for haemolytlc actwlty The isolates were plated as streaks and then incubated in air and anaerobically for 7 days The semi-quantitative ZYM and ID32 A biochemical test systems (API Systems, France) were also used to screen ~solates Suspensions containing 0 3 mg bacterial dry weight per ml were used in these assays…”