Differentiation of staphylococci on the basis of nuclease properties

The quantity, thermostability, and serological pattern of nucleases produced by different staphylococci were studied. Staphylococcal strains were isolated from nine different species of animals or from humans. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius, and Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. hyicus were vigorous producers of nuclease, whereas the coagulase-negative staphylococci, except S. hyicus subsp. hyicus, produced significantly less nuclease. The nucleases of all strains were found to be thermostable. S. aureus, S. intermedius, and S. hyicus subsp. hyicus could be distinguished from each other and from coagulase-negative staphylococci on the basis of inhibition of nuclease activity by specific antibodies.