TYPES OF HEMOLYSINS PRODUCED BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS , AS DETERMINED BY THE REPLICA PLATING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The type of hemolysins produced by a representative number of cells of a culture of S. aureus was determined by the replica plating technique, with the use of sheep, rabbit, human and horse blood agar plates. Unless horse and human red blood cells were used, a distinction between [alpha]-and -hemolysins was difficult to make. Strains producing [alpha]-[beta]-, [beta]-[delta]- and [alpha]-[delta]-hemolysins were recognized by the replica plating technique. A few colonies produced lysis of rabbit, horse, and human cells without lysis of sheep red blood cells. This pattern of lysis was not detected by the radial streak or the tube titration procedures when mixed populations were examined, and may be due to a lytic factor not hitherto described.