Related Experiment Videos
Lysozyme production as an aid for identification of potentially pathogenic strains of staphylococci
Abstract:
Lysozyme production is a frequent property of potentially pathogenic staphylococci. In the present study, 1,186 strains of human origin, 85 strains of animal origin, and 156 strains of Staphylococcus albus (epidermidis) were tested. Of 1,114 coagulase-positive strains of human and animal origin, 1,098 were lysozyme-positive (98.5%). On the other hand, of 157 coagulase-negative strains which, based on further investigations, belong to the potentially pathogenic staphylococci, all were lysozyme-positive. All of the 156 strains (100%) belonging to the species S. albus (epidermidis) were lysozyme-negative. We conclude that lysozyme production is a better index of potentially pathogenic staphylococci than the measurement of free coagulase, especially in cases of strains of animal origin. It is possible that lysozyme production allows a differentiation between pathogenic and nonpathogenic coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Insights
Lysozyme production is a strong indicator of potentially pathogenic staphylococci, outperforming coagulase testing. This finding aids in differentiating pathogenic from nonpathogenic strains, particularly in animal-derived bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Lysozyme production is a common characteristic among staphylococci.
- Accurate identification of pathogenic staphylococci is crucial for clinical and veterinary diagnostics.
- Coagulase testing is a standard method for differentiating staphylococcal species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate lysozyme production as a marker for potentially pathogenic staphylococci.
- To compare the efficacy of lysozyme production testing with coagulase testing.
- To investigate the potential of lysozyme production in distinguishing pathogenic from nonpathogenic coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Main Methods:
- Testing of 1,186 human, 85 animal, and 156 Staphylococcus epidermidis strains for lysozyme production.
- Coagulase testing was performed on human and animal origin strains.
- Further investigations were conducted on coagulase-negative strains.
Main Results:
- 98.5% of coagulase-positive staphylococci (human and animal origin) were lysozyme-positive.
- 100% of coagulase-negative staphylococci identified as potentially pathogenic were lysozyme-positive.
- 100% of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains were lysozyme-negative.
Conclusions:
- Lysozyme production is a more reliable indicator of potentially pathogenic staphylococci than free coagulase, especially for animal strains.
- Lysozyme production may enable differentiation between pathogenic and nonpathogenic coagulase-negative staphylococci.
- This finding offers a valuable diagnostic tool for staphylococcal identification.