Production of deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, coagulase, and hemolysins by anaerobic gram-positive cocci

Abstract

Clinical isolates of Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus species and Streptococcus intermedius strains were obtained from local hospitals. After confirmed identification, each isolate was tested for the in vitro production of deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, coagulase, and hemolysins. Of the 60 strains studied, 18 had enzymatic activity. The variability of enzyme production suggests that such assays are not suitable as an aid to identification of these organisms.

Extracellular deoxyribonuclease production by periodontal bacteria

“…Interestingly, our further characterization of seven strains of P. gingivalis (Fig. 3) demonstrated varying degrees of DNase expression within this one species, an observation previously made in V. parvula (3) and S. intermedius (29). However, strain A7436, which is considered to be a relatively invasive strain, exhibited only moderate DNase activity on DNase test agar plates, whilst no DNase expression in broth culture was detected.…”