Heparinase production by anaerobic bacteria

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Enzyme activity

Background:

• Anaerobic bacteria are associated with various infections.
• Heparinase is an enzyme that degrades heparin.
• The role of bacterial heparinase in thrombophlebitis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate heparinase production in clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria.
• To determine if heparinase-producing anaerobic bacteria are associated with thrombophlebitis.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and identification of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens.
• Assay for heparinase activity in bacterial cultures.
• Screening of various anaerobic genera including Bacteroides, Fusobacteria, Veillonella, anaerobic cocci, and Clostridium.

Main Results:

• None of the 29 strains of Bacteroides fragilis produced heparinase.
• Limited heparinase production was observed in some strains of B. ovatus, B. thetaiotaomicron, and B. uniformis.
• No heparinase activity was detected in Fusobacteria, Veillonella, anaerobic cocci, or Clostridium species.
• Overall, heparinase production among the tested anaerobic bacteria was rare.

Conclusions:

• Heparinase production by anaerobic bacteria is uncommon.
• The findings suggest that heparinase from anaerobic bacteria is unlikely to be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of regional thrombophlebitis associated with anaerobic infections.