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Frequency of pseudocoagulase production in Staphylococcus aureus
Zentralblatt Fur Bakteriologie, Mikrobiologie, Und Hygiene. Series A, Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Virology, Parasitology
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Staphylocoagulase and pseudocoagulase activities in Staphylococcus strains were differentiated using specific inhibitors. While most strains showed combined activities, some exhibited only pseudocoagulase, impacting Staphylococcus aureus identification.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Staphylocoagulase and pseudocoagulase are enzymes produced by Staphylococcus species.
- Differentiating these activities is crucial for accurate bacterial identification and understanding virulence factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate staphylocoagulase activity from pseudocoagulase activity.
- To investigate the prevalence of isolated pseudocoagulase activity in different Staphylococcus strains.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme inhibition assays using EDTA, N-ethylmaleimide, aprotinin, and heparin.
- Testing of collection strains and Staphylococcus aureus strains of human origin for coagulase and pseudocoagulase activity.
Main Results:
- Staphylocoagulase and pseudocoagulase activities were successfully separated using a combination of four inhibitors.
- Only two collection strains (1503 and NCTC 10 345) exhibited isolated pseudocoagulase activity.
- 22% of WOOD 46 mutant strains and 1 out of 286 human Staphylococcus aureus strains showed isolated pseudocoagulase activity.
- 32% of human Staphylococcus aureus strains displayed both coagulase and pseudocoagulase activities.
Conclusions:
- The detection of staphylocoagulase coagulating activity in rabbit plasma is a reliable test for identifying Staphylococcus aureus.
- Accurate taxonomic classification requires specific detection methods for coagulase, as isolated pseudocoagulase activity can complicate identification.