STUDIES ON STAPHYLOCOCCI II

Abstract

When coagulase negative hemolytic strains of Staphylococcus aureus are suspended in solutions of partially purified coagulase and injected intracerebrally into mice, a significant mortality results. Organisms alone or coagulase alone at the same dose level were innocuous. Such virulence enhancement could not be demonstrated if the coagulase was given intravenously followed by intracerebral challenge, nor was coagulase able to enhance the virulence of streptococci. It was shown that coagulase adsorbs to coagulase negative staphylococci, and it has been postulated that this may protect the microorganisms from the natural defense mechanisms of the host.