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Haemolytic activity of the alpha and theta toxins of Clostridium welchii*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Judith A. Schulze  and
M. Nakamura
Judith A. Schulze
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59801
M. Nakamura
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59801
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Summary

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The lecithinase and haemolytic activity of thirty strains of Cl. welchii isolated from food, faeces, and soil, was studied. The strains from foods produced smaller amounts of lecithinase and were, in general, less haemolytic than the strains isolated from soil and faeces.

The haemolytic activity of Cl. welchii on erythrocytes from different animal species displayed considerable variation. Sheep erythrocytes were the most sensitive to the action of alpha toxin, whereas rabbit blood was most sensitive to haemolysis by theta toxin. The degree of haemolysis was also dependent upon the concentration of the enzyme, and temperature and length of incubation.

The haemolytic activity of commercial lecithinase was observed to be similar to the haemolytic activity of the alpha toxin of Cl. welchii. This finding provides further evidence that the haemolytic and lecithinase activities of Cl. welchii are due to one substance, the alpha toxin. Exposure of commercial lecithinase to heat resulted in the destruction of its haemolytic properties.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 67 , Issue 1 , March 1969 , pp. 163 - 174
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

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