LECITHINASE PRODUCTION BY GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA

Abstract

A survey of lecithinase production among gram-negative bacteria was made using egg yolk agar and egg yolk broth. The families Pseudomonadaceae and Spirillaceae contained the most active lecithinase producers. Pseudomonas and Vibrio species were the most active while the Xanthomonas and Aeromonas species showed less activity. P. aeruginosa, P. pseudomallei, P. reptilivora, P. caviae, P. aureofaciens, P. chlororaphis, P. fluorescens and P. viscosa were active lecithinase producers while P. fragi and P. stutzeri gave negative results. Lecithinases of P. aeruginosa, P. pseudomallei, P. reptilivora and P. caviae were immunologically distinct and species specific. Antilecithinase serums of P. aureofaciens and P. chlororaphis not only neutralized their own lecithinase but cross neutralized. Their antilecithinase serums also neutralized the lecithinase of many strains of P. fluorescens. In the family Enterobacteriaceae, Serratia was the only genus producing lecithinase. The members of the family Brucellaceae and of the genus Neisseria failed to produce lecithinase.