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. 1990 Jul;28(7):1623–1627. doi: 10.1128/jcm.28.7.1623-1627.1990

Production of bacteriolytic activity in the oral cavity by nutritionally variant streptococci.

R Pompei 1, E Caredda 1, V Piras 1, C Serra 1, L Pintus 1
PMCID: PMC268000  PMID: 2380384

Abstract

Microorganisms from the oral flora were examined for the production of bacteriolytic substances. Among human viridans group streptococci, only one group of strains with thiol-dependent properties was shown to secrete enzymes with bacteriolytic activity on heat-killed cells of Micrococcus luteus on double-layer nutrient agar plates. By morphology, culture requirements, and biochemical properties, they were found to conform to descriptions of nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS). Bacteriolytic activity was shown to be a constant property of all of the human oral NVS isolated and a property of some reference strains of NVS from clinical sources. No other known species of viridans group streptococci demonstrated bacteriolytic activity. Analysis of bacteriolytic activity could be a useful tool for both the isolation and identification of this fastidious group of microorganisms.

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Selected References

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