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High protease activity of Chryseobacterium indologenes isolates associated with invasive infection
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and School of Medical Technology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC.
Abstract:
In order to understand virulence factors of Chryseobacterium indologenes isolates associated with invasive infection, enzymatic activities and cellular fatty acid profiles of 42 isolates recovered at National Taiwan University Hospital from January 1994 to December 1996 were studied. Among them, 12 blood isolates were considered as invasive and 30 (recovered from urine, sputa, infected burn wounds, and catheter tips) were noninvasive. All isolates showed strong activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and had no activities for alpha-galactosidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, alpha-mannosidase, and alpha-fucosidase. The activities of other enzymes were variable. Thirty-two isolates (76%) had varying degrees of protease activity. Two profiles (profiles I and II) of cellular fatty acids of the isolates were found and profile I predominated. There was no significant difference of distribution of cellular fatty acid profiles and activities of enzymes between invasive and noninvasive isolates, except protease activity which was significantly higher in invasive isolates than that in noninvasive isolates. Protease activity may play an important role in virulence on invasive infections caused by C. indologenes.
Insights
Protease activity may be a key virulence factor in invasive Chryseobacterium indologenes infections. This study found higher protease levels in invasive isolates compared to non-invasive ones.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Chryseobacterium indologenes is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Understanding its virulence factors is crucial for managing invasive infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the enzymatic activities and cellular fatty acid profiles of Chryseobacterium indologenes isolates.
- To identify potential virulence factors associated with invasive infections.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic activity assays and cellular fatty acid profiling were performed on 42 Chryseobacterium indologenes isolates.
- Isolates were categorized as invasive (blood) or non-invasive based on origin.
Main Results:
- All isolates exhibited strong alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activities.
- Protease activity was detected in 76% of isolates, with significantly higher levels in invasive strains.
- Two cellular fatty acid profiles were identified, with profile I predominating.
Conclusions:
- Protease activity is a potential virulence factor in invasive Chryseobacterium indologenes infections.
- Enzymatic profiles and fatty acid compositions did not significantly differentiate invasive from non-invasive isolates, except for protease activity.