[Pathogenicity factors of enterococci of human intestinal microflora].

Aim: Characteristic of pathogenicity factors of enterococci isolated from human feces.

Materials And Methods: Production of hemolysin, gelatinase and DNase was determined in 161 enterococci cultures.

Results: Hemolytic activity detected in 14.9 +/- 2.8% of the studied cultures was the most prevalent characteristic; 22 of 24 hemolytic strains belonged to E. faecalis species. Human erythrocyte lysis was also caused by E. faecium and E. durans cultures (1 strain each). Other pathogenicity factors were detected solely in E. faecalis species members. Enterococci proteolytic activity associated with gelatinase enzyme production manifested on various substrates--both gelatin and milk. This property was detected in 7.5 +/- 2.1% cultures. Deoxyribonuclease was detected in 1 (1.2 +/- 0.9%) E. faecalis strain. A number of E. faecalis cultures possessing hemolytic activity additionally hydrolyzed gelatin (22.7 +/- 8.9% strains) and DNA (4.5 +/- 4.4% isolates).

Conclusion: Though pathogenicity factors occur in enterococci of intestine microflora relatively rarely, separate cultures with expression of 2 or more pathogenicity factors may be essential in the development of endogenous infections especially in immune compromised patients.