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On the toxinogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains
V Majtán1, A Hostacká, A Kosiarová
1Research Institute for Preventive Medicine, Bratislava, CSFR.
Abstract:
Investigation of 367 P. aeruginosa strains primarily isolated from clinical and other biological material as well as from the environment yielded results suggesting a substantial toxinogenic potential. 92.6% of the assayed culture filtrates derived from the strains under investigation proved positive in the early skin tests on rabbits. 49.7% of the assayed material induced cytotoxic alterations on Vero cells, the rates for Y1 and CHO cells being 50.3% and 43.5% respectively. 54.3% culture filtrates caused haemolysis of rabbit RBC and 52.7% lysed horse RBC. Gelatinase activity was found in 96.3% of tested material, protease in 89.8%, lecithinase in 62.4% and elastase in 29.6%. 12.6% of tested material induced fluid accumulation in a ligated intestinal loop. None of the culture filtrates elicited a positive reaction in the suckling mice test suggesting the absence of the thermostable enterotoxin.
Insights
This study reveals that most Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains possess significant toxin production capabilities. Many strains secrete toxins that cause skin damage, cell death, and red blood cell lysis in various assays.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen frequently isolated from clinical and environmental sources.
- Understanding the toxinogenic potential of P. aeruginosa is crucial for assessing its pathogenicity and clinical relevance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxin-producing capabilities of a large collection of P. aeruginosa strains.
- To characterize the types and prevalence of toxins secreted by these strains using various in vitro and in vivo models.
Main Methods:
- Assayed culture filtrates from 367 P. aeruginosa strains.
- Utilized rabbit skin tests, Vero, Y1, and CHO cell cytotoxicity assays.
- Performed hemolysis tests on rabbit and horse red blood cells (RBC).
- Assessed enzymatic activities including gelatinase, protease, lecithinase, and elastase.
- Evaluated fluid accumulation in ligated intestinal loops in mice.
- Conducted suckling mice tests for thermostable enterotoxin detection.
Main Results:
- A high percentage of strains (92.6%) showed positive results in rabbit skin tests.
- Significant cytotoxicity was observed against Vero (49.7%), Y1 (50.3%), and CHO (43.5%) cells.
- Hemolytic activity against rabbit (54.3%) and horse (52.7%) RBCs was prevalent.
- High prevalence of enzymatic activities: gelatinase (96.3%), protease (89.8%), lecithinase (62.4%), and elastase (29.6%).
- Intestinal fluid accumulation occurred in 12.6% of tested samples.
- No thermostable enterotoxin was detected in suckling mice tests.
Conclusions:
- The majority of investigated P. aeruginosa strains exhibit substantial toxinogenic potential.
- These toxins contribute to various pathogenic mechanisms, including tissue damage, cell lysis, and potential gastrointestinal effects.
- The absence of detectable thermostable enterotoxin suggests other virulence factors are primarily responsible for observed pathogenicity.