Virulence Mechanism of Staphylococcus Aureus in Suckling Mice

Abstract

Summary The lethal effects of Staphylococcus aureus cultures on suckling mice free of coagulase has been demonstrated. Cultures subjected to boiling for 10 min (which destroyed both coagulase and α-hemolysin) were no longer lethal for mice. Heating cultures for ½ hr at 56°C destroyed both the hemolytic activity and lethal toxins for suckling mice.