DERMATOPHILUS-CONGOLENSIS - STRAIN DIFFERENCES IN EXPRESSION OF PHOSPHOLIPASE ACTIVITIES

Interactions between Dermatophilus congolensis strains and with other bacteria of known haemolytic activities were used to elucidate the com plex nature of haemolytic activities present in various D. congolensis strains. This was further analysed by measuring their specific phosph olipase activities against defined substrates by thin layer chromatogr aphy. D. congolensis strains demonstrated haemolytic interactions (syn ergistic or antagonistic) with other D. congolensis strains and also o ther species of bacteria. Most isolates expressed lyso-phospholipase-D activity, while various strains also expressed sphingomyelinase-D act ivity, phospholipase-A versus phosphatidylcholines and/or cephalins, p hospholipase-D versus phosphatidylcholines or all these activities, un der the culture conditions used. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.