[Escherichia coli hemolysin: secretion kinetics and cytotoxic effect]

Escherichia coli hemolysin is one of the most important virulence determinants for uropathogenic strains. Hemolysin is cytotoxic to renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and leukocytes. It also causes the release of various mediators of inflammation and enzymes from leukocytes, thereby enhances the tissue damage to renal epithelium. The secretion kinetics of hemolysin was studied and found to be maximally secreted by an active process during logarithmic phase. The cytotoxic effect of the hemolysin was shown using Vero cells and by measuring Lactate Dehydrogenase activity in culture supernatants. The hemolytic strain showed significant cell lysis in comparison to non-hemolytic strain.