Production of hyaluronidase by propionibacteria from different origins

114 strains of anaerobic and microaerophilic coryneform bacteria from different origins were investigated for production of free extracellular hyaluronidase (hyaluronate glycanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.36). A quantitative technique was applied measuring the release of N-acetyl-glucosamine groups from purified human potassium hyaluronate. The strains belonged to the following species: Propionibacterium acnes, P. avidum, P. granulosum, P. lymphophilum, the formerly so-called Corynebacterium parvum, P. freudenreichii subsp. freudenreichii and shermanii, P. thoenii, P. acidi-propionici, C. minutissimum, and Arachnia propionica. All together, 59 out of 114 (approximately 51.8%) tested strains showed clearly measurable hyaluronidase activities. P. acnes, the propionibacterium species most frequently found in acne vulgaris lesions, proved to be the most active species tested, 44 out of 64 (approximately 68.8%) P. acnes strains being positive. 5 strains producing hyaluronate glycanohydrolase activities of more than 60 mU/ml in thioglycollate broth cultures could be detected. P. avidum and P. granulosum strains were positive in only 45.0% and 33.3%, respectively, and their mean hyaluronidase activities were significantly lower. Differences in hyaluronidase activities of P. acnes strains isolated from acne vulgaris lesions and strains from normal human skin could not be found. The possible pathogenic role of propionibacteria hyaluronidase in acne vulgaris is discussed.