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Hyaluronidase activity of group B streptococci
L C Benchetrit1, C C Avelino, C M Oliveira
1Centro de Referência para Estreptococos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Summary
Group B streptococci commonly produce extracellular hyaluronidase, an enzyme important in bacterial infections. Enzyme levels varied but showed no link to specific bacterial serotypes or infection sources.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Enzymology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a significant human pathogen.
- Extracellular enzymes produced by GBS contribute to its virulence.
- Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid, a major component of connective tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify extracellular hyaluronidase activity in clinical isolates of GBS.
- To investigate potential associations between hyaluronidase levels and GBS serotype or clinical source.
Main Methods:
- A sensitive spectrophotometric micromethod was employed to measure enzyme activity.
- Hyaluronidase activity was assessed in the culture supernatants of GBS strains.
- Bacterial concentration was determined using optical (Klett) density.
Main Results:
- Extracellular hyaluronidase activity was detected in 38 out of 39 GBS strains tested.
- Enzyme activity levels ranged up to 4.6 units per optical density unit.
- No significant association was found between high hyaluronidase activity and specific GBS serotypes or clinical origins.
Conclusions:
- Clinical isolates of Group B Streptococcus frequently produce extracellular hyaluronidase.
- Hyaluronidase production by GBS appears to be independent of serotype and clinical source.
- Further research may elucidate the specific role of GBS hyaluronidase in pathogenesis.