Production of histolytic enzymes by a combination of oral bacteria with known pathogenicity

Eight oral bacterial strains, isolated from an infected root canal, have been investigated for their capacity to produce histolytic enzymes. The determination was performed using methods espoused by two different principles. Eleven out of 12 enzymes examined were demonstrated in the "eight-strain collection". In no single bacterial strain were all enzymes revealed. It was suggested that the pathogenicity of the bacterial strains, singly or in combination, was not solely dependent on the production of these enzymes. The histolytic enzymes may have a potentiating role on other pathogenic factors in infectious diseases.